Magpies captain Ash Dixon lifts the Shield after Hawke's Bay's 2020 victory. Otago are back for revenge on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images
Magpies captain Ash Dixon lifts the Shield after Hawke's Bay's 2020 victory. Otago are back for revenge on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images
Hawkes Bay Lolagi Visinia is tackled during the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup Ranfurly Shield match victory against Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo / Otago Daily Times
Hawke's Bay Magpies head coach Mark Ozich is confident his team will bounce back from a poor opening NPC performance and rise tothe level required in Ranfurly Shield rugby.
Otago will challenge for the Log o' Wood on Saturday at McLean Park with the Magpies hosting their first home game of the campaign.
Ozich knows his side are better than what they showed in a 33-19 loss to Taranaki last weekend.
"I don't think we could have started any worse if we tried," he said of an opening 20 minutes riddled with missed tackles, turnovers and penalties.
"(We) Just gave away too much possession and territory and points too cheaply."
This week has been about standards for Hawke's Bay with Ozich demanding an improved performance, particularly in contact.
Hawkes Bay Lolagi Visinia is tackled during the Ranfurly Shield victory over Otago in 2020.
Photo / Peter McIntosh
He wants his players to be less passive and more accurate in this area, which helps explain the selection of physical openside flanker Solomone Funaki over Gareth Evans who drops out of the 23.
Manu Samoa international Neria Fomai is back on the left wing in the only other change to the starting line-up.
He replaces Anzelo Tuitavuki, who bumps midfielder Kienan Higgins out of the number 23 jersey.
Reserve hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes will be out for over a month after breaking his hand against Taranaki.
Hastings Rugby & Sport rake Jacob Devery takes his place on the bench covering captain Ash Dixon, who this week announced he is leaving New Zealand rugby for a Japan contract at the end of the year.
Funaki's promotion to join Marino Mikaele-Tu'u and Devan Flanders in the loose forwards should help Hawke's Bay counter Otago's strength jackling the ball at the breakdown.
Ozich said the visitors also have a highly skilful and elusive backline with talents like Vilimoni Koroi, Freedom Vahaakolo, Matt Faddes and Sio Tomkinson.
"They'll use the ball like they always do... their style is to use the width," Ozich said.
"The fact that we beat them last year and took the Ranfurly Shield from them... that'll bring an added bit of energy and spice to what they're doing."
Otago defeated Southland 26-19 in Round One to take a share of the second-tier Championship lead, while Hawke's Bay's opening loss leaves them bottom of the NPC Premiership.
The TAB has the Magpies as favourites to retain the Ranfurly Shield, with a win paying $1.51 to Otago's $2.40 as of Thursday afternoon.
Hawke's Bay Magpies team to play Otago on Saturday, kickoff 4:35pm
