Rugby: Lincoln McClutchie has hard acts to follow in Magpies debut

Magpies first five Lincoln McClutchie will make his Mitre 10 Cup debut today. Photo /P aul Taylor

Lincoln McClutchie has watched three of his 2017 national title-winning Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV rugby teammates step up to NPC level with aplomb.

"I've been impressed with the boys," first five-eighth McClutchie said, referring to halfback Folau Fakatava, loosie Devan Flanders and hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes.

"Now it's my turn and I've got to take the opportunity," McClutchie added as he pondered his Magpies debut in today's Mitre 10 Cup sixth-round crossover clash against North Harbour at Napier's McLean Park.

He replaces regular pivot Tiaan Falcon, who is likely to be sidelined for two to four weeks with his shoulder injury. Openside flanker Will Tremain is in a similar situation with his shoulder injury and has been replaced by Josh Kaifa.

With McClutchie getting the promotion from the Hawke's Bay under-19s, only two members of the Magpies' squad who were in last year's HBHS team, prop Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe and outside back Danny Toala, have yet to make their first-class debuts for the side.

McClutchie was outstanding for the under-19s as they finished their national tournament in Taupo with a 40-13 win against Taranaki in the play-off for seventh last weekend. He scored two tries, kicked four conversions and dictated terms with authority.

"We got the flow and found our mojo," McClutchie said.

"I came back into the Magpies squad this week and the boys made me feel comfortable. I just have to concentrate on doing my roles and driving the team. It will be good to get a bit of experience under my belt."

A New Zealand Secondary Schools representative in 2016 and last year, McClutchie knows if he can stay in the Magpies No 10 jersey and produce some good displays it will enhance his chances of New Zealand under-20 team selection next year. While he has had plenty of experience playing outside Fakatava, McClutchie said he has enjoyed training outside Magpies co-captain and former All Black halfback Brad Weber.

"Brad is a good role model for me and has given me a whole lot of tips. He also takes a lot of pressure off me."

McClutchie is expecting North Harbour to use their big physical pack as a weapon. Like most rugby fanatics in the country, McClutchie has plenty of respect for Harbour's back three of fullback Shaun Stevenson and wingers Matt Duffie and Tevita Li.

"We can beat them if the boys stick to our roles and not try to be too clever."

McClutchie is expecting Harbour's head coach and former Magpies co-coach, Tom Coventry, to direct plenty of heavy traffic down his channel.

"That's just rugby I guess. Mitre 10 Cup rugby is always a good learning environment and how well you defend can determine the outcome of a game. We have to make sure our defence is good."

Magpies head coach Mark Ozich agreed it was a good opportunity for McClutchie, who he coached at 1st XV level.

"Once I knew Tiaan would be out of action I contacted Lincoln before he played for Hawke's Bay against Taranaki at the national under-19s last weekend and told him about the areas I wanted him to focus on. They were the driving of the game, communication of the game and teeing off of the ball when exiting. His running game and attack is all natural but it is important he is confident to tell the other players where they should go.

"You look around the country and see the other 18- and 19-year-old first five-eighths. It has always taken them a couple of years to get to the right level. As long as Lincoln holds his own we can do the rest," Ozich said.

He is confident his troops can return to the winning path after last week's 42-22 loss to Waikato in the Hamilton-hosted Ranfurly Shield challenge.

"We've had a good week of training. We've focused on the breakdown, the carry and our defence particularly the top tackle. We're in a good space to bounce back.

"At the same time we know Harbour have a good back three and they will have a field day if we don't hold on to the ball. Our ball retention has to be good and we have to make the most of every opportunity we get," Ozich added.

The Magpies will be one of six Hawke's Bay teams in action today. In addition to the Hawke's Bay Tuis taking on their North Harbour counterparts in the televised curtainraiser from 11.35am, the Hawke's Bay Saracens will take on Manawatu Development from noon at Park Island in a game in which the hosts only have to secure one championship point n for a third consecutive Hurricanes Development competition title.

A 1pm Park Island encounter will pit the Hawke's Bay Secondary Schoolgirls team against Manawatu Development. The Hawke's Bay under-16s will play their Poverty Bay counterparts in Wairoa from 1pm and the Hawke's Bay under-16 Development team will play Whanganui in Palmerston North from 1pm.

Teams for the 2.35pm clash:
Hawke's Bay Magpies: JJ Taulagi, Jonah Lowe, Stacey Ili, Pasqualle Dunn, Mason Emerson, Lincoln McClutchie, Brad Weber (co-captain), Gareth Evans (co-captain), Josh Kaifa, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Michael Allardice, Tom Parsons, Ben May, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Mark Braidwood. Substitutes: Forwards, Ben Power, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Joe Apikotoa, Geoff Cridge, Devan Flanders. Backs, Folau Fakatava, Sasa Tofilau, Michael Buckley.
North Harbour: Shaun Stevenson, Matt Duffie (co-captain), James Dargaville, Harrison Groundwater, Tevita Li, Bryn Gatland, Bryn Hall, Hapakuki Moala-Liavaa, Dillon Hunt, Sione Teu, Ben Nee-Nee, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Mike Tamoaieta, James Parsons (co-captain), Luatangi Li. Substitutes: Forwards, Tolai Tolai, Chris Eves, Sione Mafileo, Danny Drake, Jacob Pierce, Daniel Hilton-Jones. Backs, Lewis Gjaltema, Murphy Taramai.