Editorial: Fans need to fill up the park

Hawkes Bay Magpies Ranfurly shield celebration parade in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

There is something truly amazing about how sport can lift the spirits.

Take the rugby match between Otago and the Hawke's Bay Magpies at the weekend. One victory by the Magpies and the whole province will smile for the rest of the week.

That's what winning the Ranfurly Shield does to a province that has not seen it for 44 long years.

But that is all history now. The shield belongs to us and it is up to us to hold on to it for as long as possible.

It was touch and go at times on Sunday, but the team dug deep and now they can deservedly bask in the glory of the win. Magpies captain Mike Coman's name will forever be alongside that of the great Kel Tremain as a captain of a Shield-winning Magpies team. Poor Otago - one can't help feeling a bit of sympathy for the Razorbacks. After the joy of winning the trophy, they lost it to a hungrier team.

Our team has done a marvellous thing and now we have to show them when they defend the Log o' Wood against Counties Manukau on Saturday what it means to us. We have to get behind them.

Tickets are going fast, but it is time for Magpies fans to pack the park and to wear the famous black and white.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union commercial manager Jay Campbell, who apparently can't wipe the smile off his face, said they are expecting a full house of 22,000 at Napier's McLean Park. By yesterday afternoon 9000 tickets had been sold, so there are still plenty on offer.

Your team needs you. Come on the Bay.