Magpies change lineup for Battle of the Bays

Magpies coach Mark Ozich (right) planning a win over Bay of Plenty with his captain Ash Dixon. Photo / Paul Taylor

The Hawke's Bay Magpies are looking to turn the tables on the Bay of Plenty Steamers on Sunday in Tauranga after a couple of painful losses in last year's Mitre 10 Cup.

Bay of Plenty won the 2019 Championship final 12-7 over the Magpies, having also beaten them 51-24 at the Tauranga Domain during the regular season.

Hawke's Bay head coach Mark Ozich said it's not so much about getting revenge, but making things right for his team.

"We let ourselves down with our performance and our preparation when we went up there," he said.

The Magpies have prepared well this week though according to their coach, who gave his players a couple of days off after a couple of tough Ranfurly Shield defences in a row.

Ozich has made several changes to the lineup for Sunday's game, although not as many as he did prior to Hawke's Bay's 46-10 loss to North Harbour three weeks ago.

He said selecting the side to play the Steamers was about balancing the need to rest certain players, give others an opportunity to fight for a place, and ensure the Magpies continue their positive momentum by not changing too much.

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"Just managing workloads for guys like Brendon O'Connor and Geoff Cridge, who've had a big 10 weeks with preseason and a lot of minutes," Ozich said.

Tighthead prop Joe Apikotoa gets a rest as well, with Namatahi Waa given the start in his first action of the season having spent some time recovering after having his appendix removed.

Brothers Bryn and Gareth Evans come into the starting forward pack as well along with regular substitute Isaia Walker-Leawere.

Loose forward Gareth Evans gets a chance to start at openside flanker with Brendon O'Connor rested. Photo / Paul Taylor

Caleb Makene will get another chance to start at first five as he did against North Harbour, with Lincoln McClutchie dropping to the bench and fullback Kurt Baker restored to the starting lineup.

Ozich said Makene would take a lot out of his Man-Of-The-Match display against Manawatu last Sunday.

"I want to see what he can do [in the No 10 jersey], and there are not as many changes so the synergy of the team will be better than what it was against North Harbour," he said.

The other backline reshuffle sees Jonah Lowe return to a starting berth on the left wing, with Neria 'Bubba' Fomai moving into second five-eighth in place of the benched Danny Toala.

Like with Makene, Ozich is keen to see how Fomai goes closer to the action.

"He sees himself as a midfielder who can play on the wing, and he's played pretty well on the wing over the last few weeks so it's an opportunity for him to get a little bit closer to the ball and be a bit more physical," he said.

Loose forward Gareth Evans gets a chance to start at openside flanker with Brendon Winger Jonah Lowe (centre) returns to the No 11 jersey, pushing Neria Fomai inside to second five. Photo / Paul Taylor

The Magpies are expecting to meet a combative, talented side in the Steamers, according to Ozich, who said the hosts will be going all out to win the Battle of the Bays.

"Like us, they've been a little bit up and down but they seem to be coming right in the last couple of weeks, they've had some good performances," he said.

Magpies v Bay of Plenty, 2.05pm Sunday, Tauranga

Magpies: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Ash Dixon (captain), 3. Namatahi Waa, 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7. Gareth Evans, 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Caleb Makene, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Neria Fomai, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Lolagi Visinia, 15. Kurt Baker. Reserves: Bench: 16. Kianu Kereru-Symes (vice-captain), 17. Sona Taumalolo, 18. Joel Hintz, 19. Tom Parsons, 20. Solomone Funaki, 21. Connor McLeod, 22. Lincoln McClutchie, 23. Danny Toala