Rugby: Cridge keen to lock in win

Geoff Cridge will play his first game for the Magpies, against the Wellington Lions at McLean Park, Napier, since September 5, 2014, tomorrow. Photo / Duncan Brown

Should the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team open their campaign with a win against Wellington tomorrow night expect celebrations as far south as Darfield.

Well, that's two houses at least in the small town 35 kilometres west of Christchurch.

Both of the Magpies starting locks, Hurricanes Geoff Cridge and Mark Abbott, grew up in Darfield before going their separate ways in pursuit of secondary education - Abbott to St Andrew's College in Christchurch and Cridge to Christchurch Boys' High School.

"Mark was four years ahead of me at school. His dad and my dad are pretty good mates," Cridge explained.

Although two-time New Zealand Under-20 rep and one-time world champion Cridge, 21, has been in the Magpies squad since 2014, tomorrow night's Mitre 10 Cup crossover match at McLean Park will be his second first class match for the team. Knee and shoulder injuries have restricted his appearances since his September 5, 2014, outing against Northland in Whangarei.

Naturally Cridge will be hoping for better luck than he experienced during that upset 23-21 loss. Within 10 minutes of coming off the bench he was sinbinned.

His Super Rugby statistics are similar. Although he has been a Hurricane since last year Cridge has only made one appearance for the team, a nine minute stint off the pine during the 42-20 win against the Southern Kings back in March.

"One of my goals during the Mitre 10 Cup is to push for a starting spot in the Hurricanes next year. With Michael Allardice out for the season I've got a good chance to get plenty of time for the Magpies but with former All Blacks lock Ross Filipo here I know we will all be kept on our toes," Cridge said.

The Hastings Rugby and Sports club player (Cridge had six games for the club this season including some at No8) pointed out it was an awesome experience being part of the Canes inaugural Super title success.

When quizzed if there was anything he could bring from the Canes environment to enhance the Magpies chances of a semifinals finish in the Premiership Cridge replied:

"The positive attitude where everyone gets along. It's hard to beat a team with a tight knit group in which everyone gets along."

Having spent plenty of time with the Canes during the past two seasons, Cridge believed he had a fair idea of what to expect from the Lions tomorrow.

"They will be a good side with some good young fellas. They will be quite physical and their defensive patterns will be sort of similar to the Canes ... they will be keen to rush up and put pressure on us."

Former Lion Filipo is one of several Magpies unavailable for tomorrow night's game due to injury. Others include Chiefs outside back Sam McNicol and experienced loosie Trent Boswell-Wakefield.

Chiefs lock Allardice and the Highlanders pair of prop Brendon Edmonds and loosie Gareth Evans are all unavailable for the season.

- Last night North Harbour beat Counties-Manukau 20-17 in the season opener at QBE Stadium.

North Harbour 20 (Afa Faatau, Michael Little tries; Bryn Gatland, Matt Vaega pens; Gatland, Vaega cons) Counties-Manukau 17 (Jordan Taufua, Sione Faletau tries; Joe Reynolds pen; Piers Francis 2 cons). Halftime: 10-all.