Rugby: Don't worry, Marshall has the jerseys

Lewis Marshall is stoked to be playing the Lions at the Cake Tin tonight. Photo / Paul Taylor

Memo to Hawke's Bay Rugby Union's gear custodian Graham Garner ... don't panic if you find some gear missing this morning.

Hawke's Bay Magpies centre Lewis Marshall will have it in Wellington.

"My mum and her partner are staunch Wellington supporters but I don't want them turning up at the Cake Tin to watch me in Wellington colours. I think I've got enough black and white clothing here to put on them," Marshall said before the Magpies flew south yesterday to prepare for tonight's eighth-round ITM Cup clash against the Lions at the Cake Tin.

It will be Marshall's first ITM Cup starting XV appearance for the Magpies. His last outing was as a substitute in the first-round clash against Northland and he has been promoted while regular No 13 Richard Buckman recovers from an ankle injury.

"It was a bit of a shock when I got the call because the boys have been playing so well. But I'm looking forward to it ... it's always good to play in front of family and friends," he said.

The former Manawatu Turbos player was raised in Wainuiomata before attending Hato Paora College in Feilding. He has also played premier club rugby for Wainuiomata and Petone.

"Earl Va'a, the Lions coach, was my first premier club coach in my first year out of school. I know a lot of the boys in the Wellington squad too so it's going to be cool to play against them," Marshall said.

Apart from one week when he was, crook Marshall, 27, has been to every Magpies training so a lack of familiarity with the systems won't be an issue. His second five-eighth Billy Ropiha will also be making his first cup starting XV appearance for the season.

"Billy has been waiting for his chance. I'm sure we will go well together," Marshall said.

Ropiha replaces Andrew Horrell who has a hip strain. Another change to the backline sees Zac Guildford return from his four-game suspension and replace the injured Israel Dagg at fullback.

"I can't wait to let the dog off the lead," Magpies head coach Craig Philpott said, referring to Guildford.

The final change to the backline sees Robbie Fruean replace Ryan Tongia on the right wing. This will be Fruean's first starting XV appearance in the cup this season after three off the pine and like Marshall he will be eager to strut his stuff on home turf.

Philpott has selected captain Brendon O'Connor in his preferred position of openside flanker which gives Trent Boswell-Wakefield a start at No8. Philpott said he is keen to use regular openside Tom Stanley's massive energy levels off the bench.

Boswell-Wakefield's size will also come in handy against the in-form Lions pair of captain and No8 Ardie Savea and blindside flanker Vaea Fifita. Jorian Tangaere replaces the injured Ricky Riccitelli as the substitute hooker and Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald and Jonah Lowe may get time off the subs bench.

Cory Jane starts at fullback for the Lions and Te Aute College product Frae Wilson, who was a Magpies trialist a while back, will start at halfback.

Providing the Magpies reproduce the same intensity levels, particularly on defence, as they displayed against Auckland last week they should win and maintain top-of-the-table status in the Championship. While a draw would be sufficient, a victory would give the visitors the psychological edge in the likelihood of both teams meeting again next month.