Magpie Mark Braidwood leaves a trail of destruction with Ihaia West, Michael Allardice and Billy Ropiha in support.
Magpies 39 Northland 10 Ranfurly Shield defence
What a way to respond to a rev up, Tony Lamborn.
The Hawke's Bay Magpies blindside flanker's player-of-the-match performance as the Ranfurly Shield was retained in emphatic fashion with yesterday's 39-10 win against the Northland Taniwha at Napier's McLean Park was the perfect response to a grilling from head coach Craig Philpott during the previous week's ITM Cup rehearsal against Taranaki.
"You might recall I pulled him off after 25 minutes for five minutes and then put him back out there again. His pre-game approach wasn't right as he was over-hyped. He kept himself calm well this week and his performance reflected that," Philpott said.
One of only two non-Super players in the Magpies starting pack - tighthead prop Jarvy Aoake was the other - Lamborn, scored two tries, was powerful on the carry and destructive on defence. Should he continue to display this sort of form throughout the ITM Cup, he should achieve his goal of Super selection later in the year.
"That's definitely a goal. I thought I might've got called in to a wider training group last year but I didn't ... I just kept my chin up and focused on being ready for this season," Lamborn said. "I was lucky to get those two pies today. It was because we worked well as a team and we know how each other plays. My tackles were good because our defensive systems were strong."
Had Northland not scored their 79th-minute try to substitute back Troy Gilbert, the Magpies would have gone 120 minutes without conceding a try.
Retaining the shield and grabbing the maximum five ITM Cup Championship points was the ideal start to the season.
Dominant set-piece play was the key to the victory. Three of the Magpies' six tries were scored off rolling mauls.
"We felt we might have an edge at set-piece time and the boys were excited about showing it," Philpott said.
The Magpies broke the advantage line with ease and were resilient on defence. In sharp contrast, the injury-ridden Taniwha outfit struggled to bust the advantage line and were fragile on defence.
However, the victory came at a cost. Highlanders loosie Gareth Evans will be out for at least three months with a broken arm and the Magpies would have to make the final for him to be seen in the cup again this season.
Former Hurricanes halfback Chris Eaton will be out for two to four weeks with a groin strain and substitute hooker Ricky Riccitelli has a suspected fractured ankle. Their depth will be tested earlier than expected.
All of the Magpies deserve praise for yesterday's top-shelf display. Hurricanes lock Mark Abbott and Highlanders prop Brendon Edmonds were close behind Lamborn in the battle for player-of-the-match honours.
Distribution by first five-eighth Ihaia West was spot on and the ideal form of consolation for his four missed attempts at goal. His midfielders, Andrew Horrell and Richard Buckman, produced stout defensive work and clever options on attack.
Right winger Ryan Tongia scored two tries and made life tough for his Crusaders opposite, Jone Macilai. Fellow winger Shannan Chase and fullback Zac Guildford were both thirsty for work and Guildford was safe under the high ball.
Northland head coach Richie Harris said he had hoped the score would not blow out as much as it did but at the same time his troops displayed plenty of ticker.
"That's a trait we're pretty well known for up north."
He agreed poor execution let the visitors down on attack and that they were blown away at set-piece time. The big positive for Harris was the impact of his bench players, in particular midfielder Gilbert and winger Filipo Nakosi.
The Magpies opened the scoring with a try to Lamborn before the third minute had ticked over. West succeeded with the conversion.
A minute earlier Edmonds had been held up over the line.
West extended the Magpies' lead to 10-0 with a ninth-minute penalty.
The 390 Taniwha supporters were on their feet in the 11th minute when halfback Kurt Davies appeared to have scored. However, the TMO ruled the ball had been knocked on during the build up.
Lock Michael Allardice scored the first try from a rolling maul in the 18th minute. Another rolling maul off a lineout drive led to hooker and vice-captain Ash Dixon's try in the 25th minute.
West slotted the conversion and the hosts led 22-0.
Northland first five-eighth Dan Hawkins opened the visitors' account with a 29th-minute penalty.
However, their faint hopes of a comeback were dashed when Tongia won the dash to a clever kick ahead from Guildford to give the Magpies a 27-3 lead at halftime.
Match Highlights
* Heartstopper: Northland winger Waisea Lawebuka's 67th minute tackle on Magpies susbsitute back Lewis Marshall. It was a beauty but Marshall got up and continued admirably.
* Turning point: When Northland had their 11th minute try to halfback Kurt Davies correctly disallowed because of a knock on earlier in the buildup. They were never going to recover from this setback.
* Player of the match: Magpies flanker Tony Lamborn. Powerful on the carry, destructive on defence and two well deserved tries.
* Scorers: Hawke's Bay 39 (Tony Lamborn 2, Ryan Tongia 2, Michael Allardice, Ash Dixon tries; Ihaia West 3 cons, pen) Northland 10 (Troy Gilbert try; Dan Hawkins pen, con).
Halftime: 27-3.