Rugby: Big Ben chimes in with solid CV

TITLE HUNTER: New Magpies prop Ben May works on his role during a lineout drill with Ricky Riccitelli (right) in support at training this week. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

WHEN it comes to hunting for pigs and deer, prop Brendon Edmonds and flanker Tony Lamborn have been the guns in the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team in recent seasons.

Expect their status to come under threat from new prop Ben May. Murchison-raised May has regularly returned from expeditions in the Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes national parks with deer draped over his 1.93m and 119kg frame over the years.

A member of the Hurricanes Super Rugby title-winning team this season, May, 33, has yet to venture out into the back blocks of Puketitiri with fellow Cane Lamborn and injured Highlander Edmonds. Time hasn't been on their side.

"I've only been here less than a fortnight and I've been full on becoming familiar with the Magpies' game plans and systems," May explained after the team's final training session before travelling to New Plymouth to prepare for today's Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Cup clash against Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium.

There's another form of hunting which is higher up the priority list. Despite playing first-class rugby since 2004 the Nelson College old boy has yet to play in a Premiership or NPC first-division winning team.

May was in the Nelson Bays team which beat Hawke's Bay 19-14 in the 2004 division two final in Nelson. During his five years with Waikato, May was in the second-placed Premiership team for three consecutive years from 2009-11.

"We lost to Auckland in '09 and then Canterbury the next two years. Hopefully I can tick off a title with the Magpies this season," May said.

He is no stranger to a long waits for a title. This season's Super Rugby title came nine years after his first Super Rugby season with the Crusaders. That was followed by four with the Chiefs before he linked up with the Canes in 2012.

"To finally lift the trophy meant so much. A lot of legends had played for the Hurricanes previously and were unable to do so and that put the significance of the achievement into perspective."

May will have another season with the Canes next year before he sits down and makes some decisions on his future.

A regular Maori All Black since 2007, May almost came to the Bay last year but family commitments saw him add Wellington to the list of provinces on his rugby CV, after Nelson Bays, Tasman and Waikato.

He has been impressed with what he has seen of Hawke's Bay rugby to date.

"Although Hawke's Bay isn't a Super Rugby team base, it boasts a good set up with top-quality coaches who know their stuff."

He believed the fact the Magpies only had three or four days together before last weekend's Mitre 10 Cup opener was a key factor in their 36-26 loss to his former Lions team.

"Our defensive systems weren't quite right." May said.

"We missed 13 tackles in the first half and there were a couple of try-scoring opportunities which we couldn't convert into points."

A Munakata Sanix Blues player in Japan's Top League during 2014 and '15, May, pointed out it was crucial the Magpies started well against Taranaki.

He agreed the team which was able to dominate the expected physical set piece tussles will come out on top as both teams had quality backs.

In addition to reducing the missed tackle count, it's crucial the Magpies retain possession. The fact they had to make 78 more tackles than the Lions last weekend was an indication they didn't treasure the ball enough.

If the ball is going to be kicked, it should be for territory rather than risky contestable up-and-unders, particularly if the weather conditions aren't going to be the best which is so often the case in New Plymouth.

HAWKE'S BAY MAGPIES: Lewis Marshall, Ryan Tongia, Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, Mason Emerson, Ihaia West, Brad Weber, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Tony Lamborn, Hugh Renton, Mark Abbott (vc), Geoff Cridge, Ben May, Ash Dixon (c), Ricky Riccitelli.

Substitutes, forwards: Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long, Tolu Fahamokioa, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Ben Hamelink.

Backs: Ellery Wilson, Tiaan Falcon, Matt Garland.

TARANAKI BULLS: Marty McKenzie, Beaudein Waaka, Sean Wainui, Isaia Tuifua, Manasa Mataele, Stephen Perofeta, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Berny Hall, Mitchell Crosswell, Leon Power, Ben Matwijow, Mike Kainga, Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Graham.

Substitutes, forwards: Sione Lea, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Mitchell Brown, Toa Halafihi.

Backs: Kylem O'Donnell, Declan O'Donnell, Trinity Spooner-Neera.

Magpies centre-wing Robbie Fruean will start at centre for the Hawke's Bay Saracens against the Manawatu Development team at Park Island, Napier, from 2.30pm, today. Magpies prop Mason Kean and No8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u will play for the Bay under-19 team against their Manawatu counterparts in the curtainraiser.

HB Saracens: Star Timu, Tomo Fogarty, Robbie Fruean, Neria Fomai, Dan McIntyre, David Neilson, Isaac Paewai, Danya Tulou, Kaleb Whakataka, Joseph Penitito, Ben Parsons, Sean Skeet, Paulo Nu'u, Teremoana Joel, Jarvy Aoake (captain).

Substitutes, forwards: Nathan Bruce, Sean Morrison, Tamatoa Higgins, George McPherson.
Backs: Karl Hewitt, Cole Eru, Mikey Vuicakau, Naua Uaisele, David Benson, Tom Iosefo.