Hayden Hann knows regaining a berth in the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's Mitre 10 Cup squad will be a tough assignment.
"Some classy imports have been brought into the province so I have to make sure I work hard. It's good to have competition ... it grows the local game," Hann said.
The fact Magpie 1638 Hann, who made four starting XV appearances as well as two off the pine in the Championship last year, has had just 10 minutes of club play this season hasn't helped his cause.
But the Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports centre, who is expecting to have 40 minutes as a substitute in today's Tui Maddison Trophy first round encounter against Progressive Meats Havelock North at Tamatea Park, has been named in the Magpies squad for the pre-season clash against Wairarapa Bush in Featherson on Queen's Birthday and is confident he will be ready.
Hann broke his hand during the first 10 minutes of Pirate's 68-9 loss to Napier Old Boys Marist on March 24. As a physio for Cape Physio in Napier Hann, 24, has the ideal profession to judge his rehab.
"The hand is still a bit weak but I've had long enough for the fracture to heal. I've been involved in contact sessions for the last week and a half."
While he prefers centre Hann also played on the right wing for the Magpies last year.
"Where ever I'm asked to play I'm happy ... as long as I'm on the field. The goal is to get the same spot I had in the Mitre 10 Cup squad last year."
While Hurricanes' Jonah Lowe is a certainty for one of the midfield spots Hann, Napier Old Boys Marist's Shae Tucker, Taradale's Lester Maulolo, Clive's Sasa Tofilau, Tech's Sebastian Visinia and Hastings Rugby and Sports Timo Vaiusu will be competing for the other berths.
Taradale High School old boy Hann is confident the Pirate side will improve on their one-win Nash Cup record during the Maddison Trophy rounds.
"We've got a couple of new faces to add to the squad. We've regrouped and decided what changes need to be made and how to do it. Most of it has to do with attitude on and off the field and turning up to trainings.
"We haven't had good turn outs at trainings but this week we had 22 and it was a lot different ... a lot better."
Hann admitted the villagers will be hard to beat.
"It's always a tough game against them. They have some awesome players who can light it up but it's always fun to play against them."
Magpies prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and fellow New Zealand Universities rep, lock Damien Scott, have returned to the Pirate camp during the past fortnight and Hann said the pair gave the squad a huge boost.
Another close encounter is expected when Taradale Rugby and Sports host K9 Petfoods Clive at Tareha Recreational Reserve.
Taradale will again miss the services of enigmatic former Wellington Lions lock Lui Luamanu, who is home in the capital with family commitments.
Taradale manager Paul Wise knows his troops are in for a rugged battle.
"Clive finished the Nash round with three wins and are a proud club. They're always there in the second round. Nobody expected them to make last year's Maddison Trophy final and they should have won it," Wise said.
Magpies loosie Lucas Goodin and utility back Tianua Poto, who have both been named in the Magpies squad for the trip to Featherston, will give Clive a boost.
Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical should prove too strong for MAC at Whitmore Park.
Northfuels Central will have their first game in four weeks when they host Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports at Waipukurau's Central Park, and will be doing well to stay within 24 points of the visitors.
It will be interesting to see what sort of reception the Central players and supporters give their former key midfield back Cole Eru should he take the field for Hastings.
Defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist should retain the Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield and record their 43rd consecutive win in Bay premier matches when they host Jarks Tamatea at Park Island.
Hann, Luamanu, Goodin, Poto, the Napier Old Boys Marist pair of loosie Hannon Brighouse and halfback Zac Donaldson and Central midfield back Pasqualle Dunn all missed the Magpies pre-season game against Tasman Mako on May 2 in Wellington and have been named in a squad of 38 for the trip to Featherston.
Seven players are unavailable with injuries at this stage but Magpies head coach Mark Ozich is still happy with the depth available.
The full Magpies squad for the Queen's Birthday clash against Wairarapa Bush is:
Forwards: Mark Braidwood, Jason Long, Joe Apikotoa, Aleki Vuki, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Sam Ulufonua, Tom Parsons, Lui Luamanu, Matt Gardner, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Lucas Goodin, Chris Johnston, Ricky Hayes, Nathan Tweedy, Hannon Brighouse, Ben Hamelink, Jack Nelson-Murray, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Frank Tupuola.
Backs: Ellery Wilson, Folau Fakatava, Zac Donaldson, Tianua Poto, Lincoln McClutchie, Sasa Tofilau, Sebastian Visinia, Timo Vaiusu, Shae Tucker, Johnny Ika, Pasqualle Dunn, Mason Emerson, Danny Toala, Willie McGoon, Michael Buckley, JJ Taulagi, Mitch Drew, Hayden Hann.
Injured: Lester Maulolo, Tim Farrell, Jacob Devery, Tamati Samuels, Ryan Tongia, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Josh Kaifa.
Unavailable: Devan Flanders, Will Tremain (both at Under 20 World Championship).