Mason Emerson will return to the Hawke's Bay club rugby scene today after missing the last five games. Photo/File
Just because you've been a regular starting Magpie for the last three seasons you're not guaranteed a starting berth in the Hastings Rugby and Sports premier team.
Winger Mason Emerson is happy with the policy even when Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports is involved in a top-of-the-table clash like today's eighth round Tui Nash Cup encounter against Taradale Rugby and Sports at Tareha Recreation Reserve.
"That's our club policy for players who have been away. The other boys have been training hard and I'll be coming off the bench for around 30 minutes," Emerson said.
The 23-year-old who has scored eight tries in 33 first class games for the Magpies since 2015 has missed the last five games for his club because of his commitments with the Yokohama Tradition team at the annual Hong Kong 10s tournament where they were beaten quarterfinalists and at their own sevens tournament in Japan, which the side won.
In his absence the Hastings team has regularly used experienced players off the pine as was the case in last week's win against Havelock North when the likes of former Baby Blacks midfield back Star Timu and halfback Jayden Rihia were used as impact players.
"We've got a really diverse team. Our bench isn't for second grade players. We're able to use quality players for impact and that comes from having good numbers and good depth. That means we can up the play rather than stay the same because of our impact," Emerson explained while on the job as a Hawke's Bay Rugby Union development officer at a holiday camp in Dannevirke yesterday.
"I've heard Taradale have been going well and will be up for the challenge. It will be a tough old match."
He agreed there will be some added spice following the naming of the Magpies' wider training squad.
"There are always guys trying to take your spot and there are some good outside backs around."
The Hastings midfield combo of second five-eighth Neria Fomai and Timo Vaiusu was on fire against the villagers. Their clash with the Taradale combo of Nathan Ramsay and Nick Biss has the potential to be a highlight of the game.
Taradale Rugby and Sports have a similar policy to Hastings and will use Hurricanes Hunters player Ollie Sapsford off the pine. Taradale co-coach Tim Combs said while the hosts will miss the services of injured lock Angelo Mufana and winger Junior Malielegaoi he was happy with the depth available.
New Zealand under-20s commitments have taken utility back Danny Toala out of the Hastings side. Magpies prop Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe and promising fullback Sakopo Ofa are both unavailable. Recent form suggests Taradale should win by eight.
At the other end of the points table it will be interesting to see if the improving Tamatea side post their first win of the season when they host MAC at Bill Mathewson Park. MAC will miss the services of the former North Harbour-based halfback-first five-eighth combination of Simon Quickfall and Marty Watson who have transferred to Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical, injured Magpies loosie Solomone Funaki, injured utility back Jackson Waerea and Magpies hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes who is on Baby Blacks duty.
"We know Tamatea have been doing well to hang in there. We need a good performance to beat them and get our season back on track," MAC head coach Anthony Morley said.
His troops have the potential to win by six. In other games defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist should beat Progressive Meats Havelock North by 11 at Anderson Park, Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports have the potential to pip Tremains Andrew Clark Clive by three at Tamatea Park and the Texans should pip Northfuels Central by three at Whitmore Park.
Magpies coaches Mark Ozich and Josh Syms have named 51 players in their wider training squad. The pair stressed it is an initial squad and the players named have an opportunity to learn and develop, with a view to taking these skills back to their clubs and in turn, into the Hawke's Bay representative season later in the year.
Head coach Ozich emphasised that while they have named a squad, the door is certainly not closed to other players in club rugby.
"We have a number of players involved with Super Rugby, injured or away with the NZ under 20's, so competition for spots is healthy. We will however continue to be out watching club games and monitoring the performance of not only the players named in this WTG, but all club players each weekend."
A feature of this year's squad is the naming of a number of seven Development Players. The Magpies and Academy coaching staff are really excited about the youth of this group coming through and what the future looks like for the Magpies.
The WTG, which has games against Tasman on May 15 and Wairarapa Bush on June 3, is:
Albert Hemopo, Antonio Mikaele-Tu'u, Anzlo Tuitavake, Conan Houkamau, Damarus Hokianga (Development Player), Dan Law, Donovan Mataira (Development Player), Elijah Martin, Eru Wano, Gideon Kautai, Hannnon Brighouse, Humphrey Sheild, Jack Nelson-Murray, Jacob (Iakopo) Mapu, Jacob Devery, Jason Long, Joel Hintz, Josh Gimblett (Development Player), Josh Kaifa, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, Kodie Drury-Hawkins, Lester Maulolo, Liam Udy-Johns, Lincoln McClutchie, Lolani Faleiva (Development Player), Mark Braidwood, Mason Emerson, Matt Morrison, Michael Buckley, Mikaele Tapili, Neria Fomai, Noel Sanft (Development Player), Ollie Sapsford, Paddy Allen, Patrick Teddy (Development Player), Penetana Smith, Penikolo Latu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Ricky Hayes, Saia Paese, Sean Morrison, Shamara Brooks, Solomone Funaki, Tamati Samuels, Tiaki Fabish (Development Player), Tim Farrell, Timo Vaiusu, Tom Parsons, Trent Hape, Tyrone Dodd-Edwards, Zac Donaldson.
Injured/Unavailable: Kianu Kereru-Symes (NZ 20s), Will Tremain (Injured), Nathan Tweedy (Overseas), Devan Flanders (NZ 20s), Tianua Poto (Injured), Pedro Benzanilla-Corte (Injured), Danny Tola (NZ 20s).