Rugby: Lock has nose for top side

Ross Filipo issues instructions at last night's Magpies training session. Photo / Paul Taylor

Quiz former All Black lock Ross Filipo on some of his memorable encounters against the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team and he is quick to respond.

"It was when I was playing for Wellington in the 2008 game down in Wellington. I had broken my nose the week before and our coach, Jamie Joseph, told everyone I would be playing against the Magpies with the injury. At the first scrum, Magpies hooker Hika Elliot swung on his props and kicked me in the nose at the same time," Filipo recalled.

"Every time I've asked Hika about it since then, he's always denied he did it on purpose.

"Nothing has changed with the Magpies. There's still plenty of big physical forwards and fast backs. There are going to be a few long-range tries this season," Filipo promised in the countdown to his starting XV appearance for the Magpies in tomorrow's final Mitre 10 Cup rehearsal against North Harbour at Napier's Tremain Park.

"There's a good blend of youth and experience and bucket-loads of talent and potential, plenty of gifted young men.

"If we can harness it and pull it all together, we're going to have some fun times this season."

A five-game All Black during 2007-08, Filipo, 37, had the second 40 minutes for the Hawke's Bay Saracens in Saturday's 19-3 loss to Taranaki in Hawera. It was his first outing in five weeks after returning from France where he was a member of the Racing Metro team which won the European Championship.

"It was my first time playing under the new laws. I was second-guessing myself about what I needed to do when I arrived at every breakdown. Everything looked completely different," he said.

"Now I want to use the North Harbour game to put my hand up for selection for the Cup opener against Wellington."

Something the father of three didn't second-guess was his decision to come to the Bay on his return from Europe.

"It fitted in with family and I'm pretty excited about what Pottsie and Danny are doing here," Filipo said, referring to Magpies coaches Craig Philpott and Danny Lee.

When the Magpies squad was announced yesterday Filipo had second division club Eskview beside his name. On his arrival in the Bay, he asked to be allocated a club which required support and he is looking forward to assisting the Bay View-based club in the future.

His long-term goal is to further his coaching career. He already has level one and two certificates. "That's another reason why I came here. Pottsie and Danny are going to help me with levels three and four."

Last year Filipo, a former Crusaders and Chiefs Super player, coached Hamilton Marist to title honours in the Waikato club competition. While he and former Hurricanes prop Tolu Fahamokioa are the only players with Super experience in tomorrow's starting XV, Blues pivot Ihaia West and former Canes halfback Chris Eaton will provide plenty of experience off the pine.

With former New Zealand Secondary Schools hooker Max Fryatt on family bereavement leave, MAC hooker Tere Joel might get game time off the subs' bench.

Although the Magpies have had more wins than losses against North Harbour in recent seasons, there shouldn't be any complacency in the hosts' camp in the wake of Harbour's 45-21 win against Auckland and 64-10 drubbing of Northland in recent outings.

Hawke's Bay Magpies team for tomorrow:

Lewis Marshall, Matt Garland, Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, Mason Emerson, Tiaan Falcon, Ellery Wilson, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Ben Hamelink, Trent Boswell-Wakefield (captain), Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Ross Filipo, Tolu Fahamokioa, Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long.

Substitutes, forwards: Tere Joel, Mason Kean, Jarvy Aoake, Ben Parsons, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. Backs: Chris Eaton, Ihaia West, Shannan Chase.