It would have been easy for Hastings Rugby and Sports captain Ben Hamelink to give up on his quest to make the Hawke's Bay Magpies squad this season.
The gutsy openside flanker, who was one of nine newcomers in the squad announced by head coach Craig Philpott yesterday, missed one-third of the club season with concussion, then a broken toe. But Hamelink's never-say-die approach on the field is evident in his approach to life in general.
"I had to keep the end goal in mind. I rested when I needed to and got back into trainings as soon as I could," Hamelink said.
"I'm stoked. There was always a potential opportunity with two of last year's sevens leaving," Hamelink said, referring to 2015 captain Brendon O'Connor and Tom Stanley.
He agreed his selection was the ideal form of consolation for Hastings missing out on the Maddison Trophy semifinals.
"We had a lot of potential but could not bring it all together at the end of the season. At the same time, I'm stoked for NOBM as their win was well-deserved," Hamelink said.
The 2014 New Zealand Marist Colts MVP secured his berth with a strong performance for the Hawke's Bay Saracens in the Hawera mud as they lost 19-3 to Taranaki on Saturday. Hamelink said it was tough because there wasn't any club rugby played in those sort of conditions this season.
"Now I'm in the squad, it's important I take my opportunities in Thursday's game against North Harbour with the aim of securing a spot in the Mitre 10 Cup opener against Wellington when several of our Super players will still be on leave."
A property valuer with Logan Stone, Hamelink will do this part time, now he has secured a professional rugby contract.
Clive first five-eighth Tiaan Falcon, former All Black lock Ross Filipo - who has been allocated the Eskview club, Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports utility back Matt Garland, Chiefs outside back Sam McNicol, former Maori All Black Ben May - who has been allocated the Central club, New Zealand under-20 loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, former Samoa loosie Fa'alemiga Selesele and former All Black halfback Brad Weber are the other newcomers. When Weber and Falcon make their respective first-class debuts for the team they will become third-generation Magpies.
Philpott is rapt with the experience in the squad which includes four players who have played for the All Blacks, four who have played for the Maori All Blacks, 20 with Super Rugby experience, nine with New Zealand under-20 experience and two non-All Blacks who have played at international level.
The only major concern is the lack of experience in the midfield with Richard Buckman and Andrew Horrell both unavailable. Philpott said Jonah Lowe and Billy Ropiha, who played 13 and 12 respectively for the team last year, will be the first-choice pair while there were other options.
Crusaders utility Robbie Fruean, who is returning from a long injury spell, will have limited game time early in the campaign but is likely to be a force at the business end. Garland has the ability to play 12 and 13 as well as wing and fullback.
McNicol, who was one of the Chiefs' outstanding players towards the end of the Super season as a wing, could also play centre but is likely to be the starting fullback with Israel Dagg expected to be on international duty for most of the season. If McNicol has to move away from the No15 jersey the likes of Ryan Tongia and Shannan Chase are more than capable of pulling it on.
Philpott will announce his captain at next week's team launch.
Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon and Hurricanes lock Mark Abbott must be hot candidates.
Hawke's Bay Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad:
Mark Abbott, Michael Allardice, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Shannan Chase, Geoff Cridge, Israel Dagg, Ash Dixon, Chris Eaton, Brendon Edmonds, Mason Emerson, Gareth Evans, Tolu Fahamokioa, Tiaan Falcon, Ross Filipo, Robbie Fruean, Matt Garland, Ben Hamelink, Mason Kean, Tony Lamborn, Jason Long, Jonah Lowe, Sam McNicol, Lewis Marshall, Ben May, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Hugh Renton, Brodie Retallick, Ricky Riccitelli, Billy Ropiha, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Jorian Tangaere, Ryan Tongia, Sanaila Waqa, Brad Weber, Ihaia West, Ellery Wilson.