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 The Magpies face a Northland team that has it's neck on the NZRU chopping block this weekend at McLean Park
The Taniwha with their backs against the walls as they are picked to be under threat of the NZRU chop of 2 teams from the Air New Zealand cup will be looking to back up there win over the Waikato side from last weekend. For the Magpies it will be redemption time after copping a fair beating last weekend down at the CakeTin against Wellington. That result placed the Black and White Hoops firmly on the bottom of the table after the opening round. Certainly strange territory after last year's efforts in reaching the semi-finals. With the weather forecast set to be cool and clear - it is hoped that up to 10,000 fans will be in attendance to watch the first home game for the 2008 Magpies.
 | |  | | Mighty Hawke's Bay Magpies | vs | Northland
| | 1. | Sona Taumalolo | | 1. | Tony Coughlan | | 2. | Hika Elliot
| | 2. | Francis Smith | | 3. | Tom Simpson | | 3. | Bronson Murray | | 4. | Matt Egan
| | 4. | Dan Goodwin | | 5. | Bryn Evans
| | 5. | Marty Veale | | 6. | Michael Johnson | | 6. | Justin Collins (C)
| | 7. | Karl Lowe
| | 7. | John Cocker | | 8. | George Naoupu | | 8. | Blair Urlich | | 9. | Danny Lee (C)
| | 9. | James Rodley | | 10. | Matt Berquist
| | 10. | David Holwell | | 11. | Zac Guildford | | 11. | Fetu’u Vainikolo | | 12. | Daniel Waenga
| | 12. | Leo Taliu | | 13. | Jason Shoemark
| | 13. | Aiden Dewes | | 14. | Jason Kupa
| | 14. | Rene Ranger | | 15. | Israel Dagg | | 15. | Jared Payne | | 16. | Ash Dixon | | 16. | Tyler Ashworth | | 17. | Josh Keys | | 17. | Justin Davies | | 18. | Johan Snyman
| | 18. | Roy Griffin | | 19. | Hugh Reed | | 19. | Joel McKenty | | 20. | Chris Eaton | | 20. | Kaino Kaino | | 21. | Sam Giddens | | 21. | Derek Carpenter | | 22. | Mark Jackman | | 22. | Damien Fakafanua | | |
| | | | | Coach | Peter Russell | | Coach | Mark Anscombe
| | | Tom Coventry | | | | | | | | | | | Referee | Vinny Munro
| | | | | TJ's | Hawke's Bay RRA Ref
| | | | | | Hawke's Bay RRA Ref | | | | | TMO | Mike Fraser
| | | |
THE LAY OF THE LAND HAWKE'S BAY
Russell has made one change to his starting XV for Saturday night's clash against Northland at Napier's McLean Park. Dan Waenga replaces Sam Giddens at second five-eighth in a move aimed at improving the Magpies' tactical kicking options. Giddens replaces Waenga on the bench and, with Russell adopting a four-three forward-backs split on the bench instead of the five-two one used last week, utility Mark Jackman has been added to the bench. Argentinian prop Bruno Cuezzo misses out on one of the forwards subs berth and Hugh Reed replaces Adam Bradey. NORTHLAND
The only change is on the bench, where Kaino Kaino steps in for Auckland import Brenton Helleur. That came about only because Helleur was called back to Auckland about two hours after Auckland lost to Counties Manukau on Sunday. Front row back-up from Aucklander Chris Heard has yet to materialise, as well. So it has fallen on the same abrasive tight five that somehow held it together to topple the Mooloo men to step up again and tackle Hawke's Bay in what Anscombe expects to be a heady atmosphere. Locks Dan Goodwin and Marty Veale proved strong lieutenants in the rough stuff for captain Justin Collins and have been handed the job of fixing the lineout on Saturday. John Cocker holds the No7 jersey in a close call over Joel McKenty and the midfield combination pairing of Leo Taliu and Aden Dewes survives despite both carrying injuries at training.
While most teams played well, Hawke's Bay was one of the disappointments of round one and was a shadow of the side that made the semis last year. Northland was mighty impressive despite being under severe pressure almost throughout its upset win over Waikato. THE RUN OF THE TAPE HAWKE’S BAY v NORTHLAND
Sat 9 Aug, 7.35 at Napier
Played: 26, 1929-2007
Hawke’s Bay wins: 7
Northland wins: 18
Draws: 1
Last match: Hawke’s Bay 35 Northland 29, 14.09.07 at Napier (ANZC)
Last Northland win: Northland 66 Hawke’s Bay 12, 01.11.03 at Napier (NPC PR)
Biggest Hawke’s Bay score: 41 (41–22), 13.08.94 at Napier (NPC)
Biggest Northland score: 66 (66–12), 01.11.03 at Napier (NPC PR)
Biggest differential: Northland by 54 (66–12), 01.11.03 at Napier (NPC PR)
WALKING WOUNDED:
Hawke's Bay made one change, introducing Daniel Waenga into second-five for Sam Giddens. Northland had no injury worries and named n almost unchanged 22, with Kaino Kaino replacing Brenton Helleur as reserve halfback. The run-on XV is the same one that did such a fine job a week ago.
FORM:
Hawke's Bay, along with Auckland, ranked as the disappointment of round one. The team showed nothing of the spirit or quality that marked the 2007 campaign, made way too many basic errors and gifted Wellington two tries through poor kicks that were charged down. Hawke's Bay is far better than that but needs to improve in a hurry.
Northland, on the other hand, carried on its fine pre-season form and its upset win over Waikato was both well deserved on the day and well received around the country. While the forwards battled to win much ball or territory, the aggression displayed by all men in blue in every area was enough to take a notable victory.
WHO'S HOT:
Hawke's Bay had few standouts last week and in the second half the team went quietly. To be blunt, most of the leading performers from a year ago had forgettable matches and this seriously limited the Magpies' chances.
Northland got excellent service from its veterans, particularly the five in the pack on a trying night. At this early stage the recently returned Marty Veale and Blair Urlich look to be first-class signings. David Holwell, as ever, played the conditions perfectly and his class was instrumental in Northland getting up. Jared Payne scored a brilliant solo try and Leo Taliu also bagged an excellent five-pointer, so the line looks threatening.
WE THINK:
Hawke's Bay has a huge amount of work to do if it wants to win this match and we think it will turn up on it's home ground. Northland's enthusiasm was impressive against Waikato and the Taniwha has to ability to win this match through its experienced forwards and will be fired up for the match in remembrance to a former Northland great Ken Going who passed away during the week. Our pick is Hawkes Bay by 10-15 points. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID Dan Waenga - Magpie Centre
"You know what it's like when you've got a few Maori boys in each side"
Having a laugh about the upcoming Taniwha match. Peter Russell - Hawke's Bay Coach.
"It's just about gone through the entire squad"
Lamenting a mid winter flu - that is ripping through the Magpies Squad. Mark Anscombe - Northland Coach.
"You have got to have a reason to change and I don't have any"
Sayinbg why he has an unchanged lineup to face the Magpies.
Next Match
Another home game - this time aginst a dreaded foe - SOUTHLAND - we shall never forget 1994. MMmmmm I smell Venison cooking tonight. This is must win home game for the Magpies Mr BMR789's tip
Sure the Olympics are on - but let's not forget about supporting the Magpies first. |
