Magpies v Turbos, ITM Cup Championship final
It's going to be a huge game for us. I'm confident we can bounce back from the two losses we've had in our last two outings.
It was never going to be easy for Trent Boswell-Wakefield to fill Michael Johnson's berth in the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby side.
Apart from matching the physicality levels of Johnson, who played 137 first class games for the Magpies before being placed on the "not required" list this year, blindside flanker Boswell-Wakefield has ticked all the boxes.
The 2009 New Zealand under-20 world champion and 2006 New Zealand Secondary Schools representative has been a secure lineout option, impressive with his link play and extremely mobile. Boswell-Wakefield, 22, has played every ITM Cup match this season apart from the first round loss to the Manawatu Turbos in Palmerston North when he was still recovering from an ankle injury collected during the club season .
Tomorrow night Boswell-Wakefield will have the opportunity to help the Magpies gain revenge for that 32-23 loss in the Championship final at Palmerston North's FMG Stadium.
"It's going to be a huge game for us. I'm confident we can bounce back from the two losses we've had in our last two outings," said Boswell-Wakefield before the Magpies' final training yesterday.
He agreed the ability of his forwards to disrupt the supply of ball to Turbos halfback Aaron Smith and first five-eighth Aaron Cruden, a New Zealand under-20s teammate of his, will be a key factor in the game's outcome.
Big time disruption can be applied on the Turbos feed at the scrum, breakdown and on the Turbos' throw at lineout time.
Should the likes of Boswell-Wakefield and fellow Magpies loosies Karl Lowe and Adam Bradey perform to their potential Smith and Cruden shouldn't have the space to dictate as much as they have throughout the season. A season which has seen the Turbos maintain an unbeaten run at home.
While Boswell-Wakefield regards Cruden and Turbos' coach Dave Rennie as good mates in the wake of their World Cup success together (Rennie was the under-20s head coach) there have been no text messages sent across the Manawatu Gorge this week.
"We'll wait until after the game for a catch-up," Boswell-Wakefield said.
The Napier Technical club player, who will be making his 20th first class and blazer-game appearance for the Magpies, knows on occasions like this it's a case of the less distractions the better.
"Dave [Rennie] has his own approach. I'm sure he'll stick to the same stuff which has been working well for them this season.
"I know it will be a tough game. I also know if I go well it could enhance my chances of a Super Rugby contract for next year," explained Boswell-Wakefield who is refusing to accept the Magpies are underdogs for the final.
"We're going in as equals."
He believed adjustments needed to be made to the Magpies' defensive systems in the wake of their last two losses "but nothing too major."
Magpies co-coach Peter Russell has made one change to his starting XV used in last weekend's Ranfurly Shield challenge. Centre Tu Umaga-Marshall who collected a rib injury has been replaced by Tua Saseve.
Former All Black hooker Hika Elliot has been given until tomorrow afternoon to pass a fitness test after being sidelined for the past three games with a hamstring injury.
Should Elliot start Hikairo Forbes, who has impressed with his work rate in recent weeks, he will replace Kas Lealamanua at loosehead prop and Lealamanua will replace Brendon Edmonds on the subs bench.
FINAL FACTBOX
How they match up before tomorrow's promotion/relegation Championship match:
PATHS TO FINAL:
* Hawke's Bay Magpies: lost to Manawatu (a) 32-23, beat Southland (h) 29-18, beat Otago (h) 27-13, beat North Harbour (a) 39-10, lost to Tasman (h) 21-19, beat Wellington (h) 40-20, beat Bay of Plenty (a) 32-13, beat Counties-Manukau (h) 44-14, lost to Northland (a) 43-34, lost to Taranaki (a) 29-11.
Played 10, won 6 lost 4 (second qualifier).
* Manawatu Turbos: beat Hawke's Bay (h) 32-23, lost to Counties-Manukau (a) 32-25, beat Northland (h) 30-22, lost to Canterbury (a) 42-15, beat North Harbour (h) 32-21, beat Taranaki (h) 15-10, beat Wellington (a) 31-25, beat Waikato (h) 54-20, beat Tasman (a) 27-23, lost to Otago (a) 28-20.
Played 10, won 7, lost 3 (top qualifier).
Teams:
Magpies: Mark Jackman; Richard Buckman, Tua Saseve, Gillies Kaka; Andrew Horrell, Daniel Kirkpatrick; Chris Eaton; Karl Lowe; Adam Bradey, Bryn Evans (c), Brodie Retallick, Trent Boswell-Wakefield; Ben Tameifuna, Hikairo Forbes/Hika Elliot, Kas Lealamanua/Forbes.
Substitutes: Forwards - Danny Logan, Brendon Edmonds/Kas Lealamanua, Jodi Allen, Maselino Paulino, Hugh Reed; Backs - Isaac Paewai, Sinoti Sinoti, Tino Nemani.
Manawatu Turbos: Nehe Milner-Skudder; Craig Clare, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Tomasi Cama; Frankie Bryant, Aaron Cruden; Aaron Smith; James Oliver; Doug Tietjens, Michael Fitzgerald, Reece Robinson, Nick Crosswell (c); Ma'afu Fia, Rob Foreman, Grant Polson.
Substitutes: Forwards _ Bryn Templeman, Jared Brock, David Te Moana, Fraser Stone, Hamish Gosling; Backs _ Karl Bryson, Isaac Thompson, Lewis Marshall.
* Where: FMG Stadium, Palmerston North.
* When: 5.35pm kick-off.