Rugby: Accuracy, more direct approach demanded

Mark Braidwood (left) and Ihaia West know the value of the Magpie jersey and Ranfurly Shield.

Watching the Hawke's Bay Magpies defend the Ranfurly Shield this time last week isn't something Craig Philpott wants to experience too often.

"I suppose I was a bit like an expectant father awaiting the birth of a child," a jovial Philpott said last night while on dinner duties at home.

Needless to say the Magpies coach is happy to be home from his step up as the assistant coach of the New Zealand Barbarians in Auckland while assistant Magpies coach Danny Lee was at the helm in their 50-16 victory over Horowhenua-Kapiti.

"You never want to be left in charge of a baby when the house is burning down," said Philpott of Lee taking over a predominantly new-look Magpies.

The shield holders host the third and last Heartland Championship side, Mid Canterbury, in a 7.35pm kick-off at McLean Park, Napier, today.

Suffice it to say Philpott is expecting a sterner challenge than that from Horowhenua-Kapiti and Wairarapa Bush, who lost 58-7 on a freezing July 9.

Mid Canterbury, he said, would have the odd Christchurch club-savvy players but also possessed play-off experience in the lower-tier Meads Cup.

"To be honest we're not having much of a change with probably one in the halfback," he said as the Magpies offer their wider training squad members an opportune time to savour shield matches.

"We told the players we want to treat these games like any other ITM Cup matches so they need to step up."

When the emotional dust settled after the last shield game, Philpott said it became abundantly clear his men had dominated play, especially in the set pieces.

His expectations in tonight's "ding-dong battle" simply boil down to individuals and the team to reflect incremental gains from the previous two outings.

"I want them to be a lot more clinical and accurate around the breakdowns. I also want them to be a lot more physical in the first 30 minutes and direct."

Philpott said in the previous game dew in the night was a factor but he didn't expect weather to play any part for both sides to show partiality towards expansive football.

A Cantabrian, he played against Mid Canterbury a couple of times in his heyday at Ashburton.

"Ironically I have some very good mates coming from Ashburton and they'll stay over for the Storm [rugby league] match on Saturday so the last thing I'll want tomorrow is for them to be crowing," he said.