"To be able to find players like Sam Ulufanoa and JJ Taulagi and to have them and others like Fa'alemiga Selesele and Pasqualle Dunn playing club rugby in the Bay from the start of the season is great. It means we are able to be working with them and not waiting for them as well as our Super players to return.
"It's less disruptive. When players came in late last year there was no continuity and it was too hard to create a culture. Doing it this way players are aware of the expectations and skills required and it's really positive," Ozich explained.
He pointed out the squad of 52 is for the first pre-season game against Tasman in Wellington on May 2. Seven of the squad are injured but they still attend trainings to keep in touch with the systems.
The squad doesn't include loosie Tony Lamborn who is on international duty with the United States team, and Samoa Commonwealth Games Sevens representatives Tom Iosefo and Neria Fomai. It also doesn't include the Bay's 10 Super Rugby players - Ash Dixon, Ben May, Michael Allardice, Gareth Evans, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Jonah Lowe, Brad Weber, Tiaan Falcon, Israel Dagg and Brodie Retallick.
Ozich stressed the Tasman game was crucial to gauge where players in the wider training group were at.
"Tasman are a similar sized union to us and have a similar make-up. At the same time we are mindful of the players' commitment to club rugby and that is why we will probably take 30 players ... nobody will play 80 minutes and some may only play 20."
After the Tasman game a second wider training group will be named to prepare for the June 4 fixture against Wairarapa Bush in Featherston. The Magpies will also play the Manawatu Evergreens on July 4 and Ozich is hoping for a fixture against Auckland on July 29 but no player involved with the Maddison Trophy final the previous day will be expected to play in this match.
The Magpies' final pre-season game will be against Waikato in Taupo on August 4 and their Mitre 10 Cup campaign will begin with an away fixture against Southland on Sunday, August 19.
The 52-strong Magpies wider training group to prepare for a game against Tasman on May 2 and begin training at Elwood Park, Hastings from tomorrow is:
Lewis Marshall, Pasqualle Dunn, Tom Parsons, Travis Taylor (all Central), Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Josh Kaifa, Sasa Tofilau, Lucas Goodin, Tianua Poto (all Clive), Devan Flanders,
Ryan Tongia, Sam Ulufanoa, Willie McGoon (all Havelock North), Aleki Vuki, Ben Hamelink, Danny Toala, Folau Fakatava, Jason Long, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, Mason Emerson, Ausage Fomai, Timo Vaiusu, Jacob Devery (all HRS), Fa'alemiga Selesele, Frank Tupuola, John Ika (all MAC), Chris Johnston, Ellery Wilson, Hannon Brighouse, Johnny Luano, Matt Gardner, Michael Buckley, Mitch Drew, Ricky Hayes, Shae Tucker, Jake Nelson-Murray, Zac Donaldson, Sia Paiese (all NOBM), Will Tremain (OBU Wellington), Pouri Rakete-Stones, Hayden Hann (both Pirates), Kianu Kereru-Symes, Lincoln McClutchie, Mason Kean (all Tamatea), Joe Apikotoa, Lester Maulolo, Lui Luamanu (all Taradale), JJ Tualagi, Mark Braidwood, Sebastian Visinia, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Tim Farrell (all Napier Technical).
