Rugby: Ihaia West out to prove he's main Magpies pivot

Ihaia West sees the funny side of his battle for the Magpies first five-eighth role. Photo/Duncan Brown

Ihaia West laughed when quizzed about the rivalry between him and world champion Baby Black Tiaan Falcon for the Magpies rugby team's No 10 jersey.

"Tiaan is my bum boy in our flat. He does my cooking and looks after my washing ... if that doesn't remind him who is in charge nothing will," West quipped.

"Seriously though I watched him play at the under-20 world championship. Everybody saw how well he played, he was close to the player-of-the-tournament. There's a bit of competition which will do both of our games the world of good," West explained.

West, 25, will start in the No 10 jersey and Falcon, 20, at fullback when the Magpies play the Manawatu Turbos in their final Mitre 10 Cup rehearsal at Palmerston North's Central Energy Trust Arena this afternoon.

West and another of his flatmates, Magpies No 8 Gareth Evans, were spectators when the Magpies were beaten 57-7 by Waikato in Taupo last weekend.

"There needs to be better decision-making and better off the ball play. There was heaps of space but we weren't able to make the right decision to get the ball there ... the skill execution could have been better. But it wasn't all doom and gloom and hopefully we can do better this week."

Magpies head coach and world champion Baby Blacks mentor Craig Philpott pointed out both West and Falcon were great players and it was West's turn to start in the pivot role after Falcon had the job last week.

"It's good to have these options and we've got a few others to consider later on too. Like where will we use Richard Buckman and where will we play Sam McNicol."

When asked if he had a preferred back-up position if Falcon was to be given a start at 10 during the Championship, new Hurricane and 2012 Baby Black West replied: "I'm too small for the midfield so it will have to be fullback. But Tiaan knows I'm not going to give up the 10 jersey easy."

The hero of the Blues' 22-16 win against the British and Irish Lions in June with his 74th-minute try, West, said it was good to look back and enjoy those moments.

"But at the moment the priority is to get out on the field and do well for the Hawke's Bay Magpies."

Two former Magpies, lock Tom Parsons and centre Lewis Marshall, will start for the Turbos. The hosts will have a strong side with only Hurricanes first five-eighth Otere Black and the Crusaders pair of loosie Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and prop Michael Alaalatoa yet to return following Super Rugby duties.

The Magpies are in a similar position with captain and hooker Ash Dixon, his Highlanders teammate, utility back Buckman, Hurricanes loosie Hugh Renton and Chiefs utility back McNicol not involved.

Highlanders lock Jackson Hemopo will have his first outing of the season for the Turbos while flanker Antonio Kirikiri returns to the side and takes on the captain's role after time spent training with the Hurricanes. Second five-eighth Hamish Northcott who returns from an injury spell and in-form halfback Jamie Booth will have to be marked closely.

Hawke's Bay age group product and former Baby Blacks prop Tim Cadwallader will get game time off the bench for the Turbos.

With West and fellow 2018 Hurricanes, lock Geoff Cridge and Evans, starting for the Magpies considerable improvement is expected on last weekend's loss to Waikato in Taupo. World champion Baby Blacks head coach Philpott has made no secret of the fact it's his intention to guide the Magpies back to the Premiership.

It's time for his troops to show they are ready for that quest.

Teams for the 4.30pm match:
Hawke's Bay Magpies: Tiaan Falcon, TJ Vaega, Jonah Lowe, Cardiff Vaega, Mason Emerson, Ihaia West (vice-captain), Chris Eaton, Gareth Evans, Tony Lamborn, Matt Gardner, Geoff Cridge, Nick Palmer, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery, Jason Long (captain). Substitutes, forwards: Jorian Tangaere, Mark Braidwood, Mason Kean, Mike Allardice, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. Backs: Zac Donaldson, Dan Snee, Pasqualle Dunn, Hayden Hann, Cole Eru.
Manawatu Turbos: Te Rangatira Waitokia, Ambrose Curtis, Lewis Marshall, Hamish Northcott, Willy Ambaka, Jade Te Rure, Jamie Booth, Harrison Brewer, Antonio Kirikiri (captain), Nick Crosswell, Tom Parsons, Jackson Hemopo, Sione Asi, Hunter Prescott, Fraser Armstrong. Substitutes, forwards: Tim Cadwallader, Tuki Raimona, Sam Tufuga, Liam Hallam-Eames, Brice Henderson, Brayden Iose. Backs: Kayne Hammington, Ben Wyness, Curtis Reid, Newton Tudreu, Patrick Tafili-Reid.