Rugby: Big crowd would boost Magpies' defence

A raucous home crowd was "absolutely massive" to home success. Photo / Duncan Brown

The Magpies are urging fans to come out in force tomorrow as they attempt to defend the Ranfurly Shield during the battle of the Bays.

Magpies coach Craig Philpott said a raucous home crowd was "absolutely massive" to home success and retaining the shield against Bay of Plenty tomorrow at McLean Park.

"The first thing players say when you talk to them is how big a lift they get from a big crowd," he said. "Certainly with the Ranfurly Shield, and you notice it around the country, those teams that get a big crowd along are able to hold onto the the shield in those close, tight games."

He said it was fantastic to see a "sea of black and white flags" at last weekend's 41-0 shield victory against Otago in front of more than 11,000 fans.

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is hoping for a big crowd for the afternoon match and more than 6500 tickets have already been sold.

If Hawke's Bay beats the Steamers it will be the first time the province will have held the Ranfurly Shield for multiple defences. The feat was last achieved when Hawke's Bay won the shield on September 24, 1966, and held it for 21 defences until September 27, 1969.

*Bay of Plenty's challenge will begin at 2.35pm tomorrow and tickets can be bought from the HBRU at McLean Park or ticketdirect.co.nz.