Rugby: Did Bay throw Keane off scent?

Hawke's Bay Magpies' winger Ryan Tongia scores his second try in Saturday's win against Waikato. Photo / Duncan Brown

Could the mediocre first half from the Hawke's Bay Magpies on Saturday been a ploy for Kieran Keane?

This question has to be asked after the Magpies trailed 17-5 after an error-ridden first 40 minutes of their 39-22 win against Waikato in their final ITM Cup championship rehearsal at Napier's McLean Park. Former Magpies coach Keane, now the Tasman head coach, was in town on a spying mission in the buildup to the Makos Cup opener against the Magpies in Blenheim on Sunday.

Magpies head coach Craig Philpott pointed out his troops were guilty of wanting to score off the first phase too often in the first half.

"They had to be more patient and construct phases. At the same time it was a tricky wind to play into as Waikato discovered in the second half."

Another question which had to be asked was whether or not it was a loud expletive-ridden rant from Philpott which led to the improved second half showing from the hosts.

"No ... the boys knew what they had to do to rectify things which was a positive," Philpott replied.

Despite the Magpies outscoring Waikato five tries to one in the second 40 and keeping the visitors scoreless in the second spell until the 75th minute Philpott, a former deputy principal, gave the Magpies five out of 10 for their overall performance. This was fair and an indication of the standards which must be met if the Magpies are to gain promotion to the premiership this season.

Too many missed tackles, at seven, six more than Waikato, soft turnovers, poor goal-kicking, first five-eighth Ihaia West missed both of his attempts in the tricky wind, and complicated options by the backs led to the host's first half fumbles. Their only points were a 15th minute try from Chiefs centre Robbie Fruean after a clever miss pass from West.

While Fruean impressed with his ability to bust the defensive line and suck in several defenders he would have been disappointed with his handling woes. Seventeen minutes into the second half the Magpies had replaced frowns on the faces of their supporters with grins of approval.

New Zealand Maori and Blues pivot West scored a clever solo try in the 43rd minute. Substitute fullback Matt Berquist, who replaced West as the goal-kicker, succeeded with a penalty attempt in the 48th minute.

Berquist proved why he is still regarded as one of the country's best goal-kickers with four successes from five attempts including a couple from near the sideline. His pace and lines on attack were also admirable.

Exciting winger-fullback Ryan Tongia put the Magpies in front for the first time with a 52nd minute try after being put in the clear by West who had scooped up a dropped Waikato pass. Berquist converted from out wide.

Four minutes later inspirational captain and openside flanker Brendon O'Connor, who Philpott is predicting to reach the international ranks in the near future, scored the first of his two tries from a kick and chase and Berquist again converted from out wide. Within three minutes O'Connor scored again and Berquist converted.

Tongia then scored the host's final try after receiving a clever pass from replacement centre Jason Shoemark.

Along with O'Connor, Hurricanes lock Mark Abbott and Highlanders No 8 Gareth Evans were prominent in the Magpies pack. Evans' aerial skills saw him secure a couple of the Magpies own kickoffs.

Hawke's Bay age group product and Waikato captain and halfback Brad Weber provided slick service to his backline while former Magpies' prop Ben Tameifuna had a couple of memorable charges and was a force at scrum time.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay 39 (Ryan Tongia 2, Brendon O'Connor 2, Robbie Fruean, Ihaia West tries; Matt Berquist 3 cons, pen), Waikato 22 (Zak Hohneck, Regan Ware, Dylan Collier tries; Damian McKenzie 2 cons, pen).

Halftime: Waikato 17-5.