BOP captain Culum Retallick lowers Magpie Chris Eaton in a high tackle. Paul Taylor
Memo to the country's Super Rugby franchises: Don't forget Hawke's Bay Magpies halfback Chris Eaton.
The former Hurricane is playing well enough to return to the Super Rugby scene he last played in two years ago and there is no better proof than his form as the Magpies won their second Ranfurly Shield defence of the season with an at-times spiteful 36-17 victory against the Bay of Plenty Steamers at Napier's McLean Park on Saturday.
Eaton, 30, who is in his 10th season with the Magpies, had an average gain of 3.7m from his 10 snipes, made seven tackles and more importantly seldom took a wrong option in his 82nd first-class outing for the team.
"I would love to play Super Rugby again if it happens, but if it doesn't I'll just keep playing for fun," Eaton said after a lengthy autograph signing stint following the match.
Eaton, who was on the verge of playing for the Western Force last year before his wife, Hannah, died in a car crash, pointed out there were still aspects of his game he could sharpen.
"My passing needs to be a lot better ... it was a bit messy today."
He agreed the defence displayed by the Magpies during the first 71 minutes was commendable. Former Magpies utility back Tino Nemani, the Steamers right winger, scored a soft try in the 71st minute, and substitute loosie Jesse Acton scored the visitors' only other try a couple of minutes later.
Eaton said it was difficult to compare the Magpies teams he had played in during the past decade, but he stressed each team had adopted a winning attitude they hoped flowed on to the next generation. He agreed this season's team could take a lot of confidence out of two consecutive shield defences.
"We've taken the approach we need to win it every time we play.
"We don't own the shield and when we play Wellington in our next defence we will be going out wanting to win it, not to defend it." Should the Magpies play like they did on Saturday and in the previous week's win against Otago, Wellington can expect another tough day at the office in the October 1 encounter at McLean Park.
True, the Magpies weren't as accurate and dominant against the Steamers as they were against the Razorbacks, but the Steamers were a lot more competitive at set-piece time.
However, the Magpies scored some spectacular tries as they leaped into home semifinal contention in the ITM Cup Championship. Exciting winger Ryan Tongia took his try tally to eight from six games with another brace.
First five-eighth Ihaia West, who gets better with each game, also scored two. Fullback Richard Buckman pipped Eaton, Tongia and captain and hooker Ash Dixon for player-of-the-match honours.
Buckman was a rock under the high ball, flawless on defence and had an average gain of 7.4m from his 14 carries. Dixon did precisely what he said he would do when appointed captain in the absence of regular boss Brendon O'Connor, who was sidelined with concussion, and led with his actions.
Lock Mark Abbott and No8 Gareth Evans led the tackle count for the Magpies with 14 and 13 respectively. Magpies head coach Craig Philpott was thrilled with his troops zero missed-tackle count during the first half.
He said he would consult the Magpies' medical staff before working out the lineup for Saturday night's away game against North Harbour.
"That's the start of a big week for us with the Wellington shield game the following Wednesday and then Manawatu away the following Sunday. We've got depth in our squad and I'm confident whoever we pick to play Harbour will do the job," Philpott said.
While Nemani scored a try, he dropped his first pass and was ordered off for a dangerous tackle on Magpies substitute prop Jason Long during the final two minutes. More critical to the Steamers' cause was the sinbinning of captain and lock Culum Retallick in the 31st minute for a head-high tackle on Eaton. From the penalty Magpies lock Michael Allardice scored and the Magpies led 14-3, despite playing into a strong wind.
Former Taradale prop Siegfried Fisiihoi made a couple of powerful charges after taking the field as a substitute for the Steamers.
Match stats
• HB Magpies 36 (R Tongia 2, I West 2, M Allardice tries; West 3 pens, con) BOP Steamers 17 (T Nemani, J Acton tries, N Evemy pen, 2 cons). Halftime: 14-3.
• Turning point: Magpies lock Michael Allardice's 32nd-minute try. This gave the hosts a 14-3 lead despite playing into the wind. It was always going to be tough for the Steamers from here.
• Heartstopper: Steamers captain and lock Culum Retallick's head-high tackle on Magpies halfback Chris Eaton in the 31st minute which saw Retallick sinbinned. Fortunately Eaton wasn't injured as he was playing too well to be taken off at this stage.
• Player of the match: Magpies fullback Richard Buckman. Outstanding on defence and had an average gain of 7.4m from his 14 carries. Eaton, winger Ryan Tongia and captain and hooker Ash Dixon were other contenders.