Recent history isn't the only reason for Wellington nerves ahead of their Air New Zealand Cup opener against Hawke's Bay at Westpac Stadium tonight.

A year ago our team stunned the star-studded Lions with an 8-6 win in Napier.

It proved the catalyst for what turned into a fairytale run to the Air New Zealand Cup semifinals and was arguably the most memorable match of the season.

However, Hawke's Bay coach Peter Russell and his team have scant regard for reputation or expectation.

Russell said last year's results counted for little, but conceded Wellington would probably be keen to even the ledger.

Either way, he is confident his side will perform well again this season.

The Magpies enter the match on a seven-game pre-season winning streak and determined to honour veteran flanker Michael Johnson's 100th match.

They are also a more experienced side than the one that upset the form book last season.

Mighty Hawke's Bay Magpies		vs	Wellington
1.	Sona Taumalolo		1.	Jacob Ellison
2.	Hika Elliot		2.	Dane Coles
3.	Tom Simpson		3.	John Schwalger
4.	Matt Egan		4.	Ross Filipo
5.	Bryn Evans		5.	Jeremy Thrush (vc)
6.	Michael Johnson		6.	Chris Masoe
7.	Karl Lowe		7.	Serge Lilo
8.	George Naoupu		8.	Thomas Waldrom
9.	Danny Lee (C)		9.	Alby Mathewson
10.	Matt Berquist		10.	Daniel Kirkpatrick
11.	Zac Guildford		11.	Hosea Gear
12.	Sam Giddens		12.	Michael Hobbs
13.	Jason Shoemark		13.	Tamati Ellison (c)
14.	Jason Kupa		14.	Brendon Watt
15.	Israel Dagg		15.	Cory Jane
16.	Ash Dixon		16.	Ged Robinson
17.	Josh Keys		17.	Anthony Perenise
18.	Johan Snyman		18.	Api Naikatini
19.	Adam Bradey		19.	Victor Vito
20.	Chris Eaton		20.	Scott Fuglistaller
21.	Daniel Waenga		21.	Tomasi Palu
22.	Bruno Cuezzo		22.	Tu Umaga-Marshall
Coach	Peter Russell		Coach	Jamie Joseph
	Tom Coventry			Andre Bell - Assistant Coach
Referee	Keith Brown
TJ's	Wellington RRA Ref
	Wellington RRA Ref
TMO	Mike Fraser

THE LAY OF THE LAND

HAWKE'S BAY

Hooker Hika Elliot, wing Zac Guildford, Johnson and wider training group member centre Jason Shoemark all have a season in the Hurricanes behind them, while halfback and captain Danny Lee remains a steadying influence.

Hawke's Bay are without hardman prop Clint Newland, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury, but the rematch between Sona Taumalolo and Schwalger will be worth the price of admission.

On the Magpies bench there will be interest in the quality of overseas recruits Bruno Cuezzo, of Argentina, at prop, and South African Johan Snyman at lock.

WELLINGTON
New coach Jamie Joseph has named a strong starting side, including three former All Blacks in John Schwalger, Ross Filipo and Chris Masoe in the pack and 11 players in all with Super 14 experience.

However, there is also inexperience in the key area of first and second five-eighths for a game that is sure to be played in wet conditions.

Talented national under-20s star Daniel Kirkpatrick will start his first match for the Lions in the No 10 jersey after three appearances from the bench last year, while Michael Hobbs will make his ANZC debut outside him.

There is no doubt Kirkpatrick in particular carries some expectation, with Wellington fans hopeful he can become the controlling pivot the province has lacked in recent years.

There is also a raw look to the Lions bench, with Western Suburbs openside Scott Fuglistaller, Old Boys University halfback Tomasi Palu, and Wainuiomata centre Tu Umaga-Marshall all on debut.

No long memory is needed to recall the clash of a year ago, which was sensational on the field and dramatic afterwards. Not all the leading figures are back this time but enough players from both teams were there to ensure this is plenty of heat in the match of the round.

THE RUN OF THE TAPE

WELLINGTON v HAWKE’S BAY
Fri 1 Aug, 7.35 at Wellington
Played: 88, 1885-2007
Wellington wins: 56
Hawke’s Bay wins: 27
Draws: 5
Last match: Hawke’s Bay 8 Wellington 6, 04.08.07 at Napier (ANZC)
Last Wellington win: 18.05.95 at Napier
Biggest Wellington score: 7 (67–36), 18.05.95 at Napier
Biggest Hawke’s Bay score: 58 (58–8), 14.08.26 at Napier
Biggest differential: Hawke’s Bay by 50 (58–8), 14.08.26 at Napier

WALKING WOUNDED:
Wellington is missing its All Black contingent for a few weeks yet and has introduced a number of youngsters into the squad, although there is a core of experience there. Hawke's Bay shows few changes from the well-performed 2007 team but Clint Newland, who had a good Super 14, will miss the entire Air NZ Cup season with injury.

FORM:
Wellington had a couple of good wins over Otago and Canterbury in pre-season but lost narrowly to Taranaki. Hawke's Bay had the most impressive pre-season of any team, winning seven from seven including four against Air NZ Cup sides and never being held to less than a 16-point margin.

WHO'S HOT:
Wellington will look to its forwards, particularly the old hands, in what promises to be a gruelling encounter. A lot of pressure will ride with young Daniel Kirkpatrick, who is a real talent at first-five but he will have to cope with the rain as well as the Hawke's Bay forwards. It does not look like being a night for fancy moves, so simple may be best.

Hawke's Bay has a solid team and most have performed well, but there are two pieces of inspiration this week – Hikawera Elliot's call-up to the All Black squad and Michael Johnson's 100th first-class match for the union. A good kicking game, which the Bay has, may create opportunities for the speedy Zac Guildford on the wing where passing might not.

WE THINK:
While the TAB has installed Wellington as overall favourite for the Air NZ Cup, they'll have their work cut out in what promise to be horrible conditions this weekend. In fact, we are prepared to tip an upset and our call is that the Magpies will get up by a couple of points in a low-scoring match.

TAB:
Wellington $1.28. Hawke's Bay $3.40.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID

Jason Shoemark - Magpie Centre
"We've had a few good wins and this wake-up call ... we just have to carry on the good stuff against Wellington."
After a close scrap against the Turbo's in pre-season game.

Peter Russell - Hawke's Bay Coach.
"I don't think we are under any extra pressure. The pressure is on ourselves to perform as well or better than we did last year. We know we are above the radar now, but now teams have to stop us."
Lining up the new season ahead.

Next Match
Next week Hawke's Bay host the Taniwha at McLean Park. Get along and support the 'Pies in there first home game for 2008 - Saturday night. Wrap up warm

Mr BMR789's tip
The weather is crap - pull up the couch, get some beers and Fish 'n Chips and watch some proper Rugger..