Rugby: Little Ika presents huge case for Magpies nod

Johnny Ika (left) and Tom Iosefo will have influential roles for MAC against Napier Technical today. Photo / Warren Buckland

Fans of MAC rugby fullback Johnny Ika will struggle to comprehend how Tasman head coach Leon Macdonald put him in his discard pile last year.

"I had some pre-season outings for the Makos last year but Leon told me I was too small for his Mitre 10 Cup squad. I'm hoping to show him what he's missing out on next week," 1.56m Ika explained referring to the Magpies pre-season match against the Makos in Wellington on Wednesday.

To make the Magpies team for that clash Ika, 26, needs to reproduce the form he displayed last week when MAC meet Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical in their Tui Nash Cup quarterfinal at Whitmore Park today. Safe under the high ball and quick off the mark, Ika has the ablity to always beat the first defender with ease and he knows how to put his support runners into space.

However, his biggest asset is his versatility. While Ika prefers fullback he can also play wing or halfback where he started in seven appearances for Wairarapa Bush in 2016 when Magpies assistant coach Josh Syms was the head coach of the Meads Cup semifinalists.

"I don't mind where I play and I'm happy to sacrifice a trip to Aussie with the Tonga A team next week if I make the Magpies squad for the Tasman game," Ika, who had 25 minutes off the pine for the Hurricanes Development side in their 36-27 win against Japan A in Levin on Thursday night, said.

He was recommended to the MAC club by former Magpies and Makos hooker Jesse MacDonald.

"I love it here. It feels like home with plenty of islanders around the place," Ika said.

He agreed MAC have plenty to improve on after last week's loss to Clive including basics around the ruck area, discipline and patience.

"It's good to have Tom back," he said, referring to Samoa Sevens star Tom Iosefo who missed the Commonwealth Games with a shoulder injury collected in his last outing at the Hong Kong Sevens.

"I wasn't too disappointed about missing the Games because I played in Glasgow in 2014. But I'm looking forward to playing again this weekend and, like Johnny, I hope to make the Magpies team for next week," Iosefo, 31, said.

"I've been in the Bay for five seasons now and making the Magpies is my biggest goal ... it could be my last chance but it's a good one with a new coaching staff. I'm prepared to sacrifice the rest of the Sevens campaign for the Magpies ... I've been on the Sevens circuit since 2007."

Iosefo, an Enviro Clean workmate of Ika's, is eyeing an outside back berth in the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad and, if he can sharpen up his defensive work and continue to shine on attack like he did for the Samoa Sevens team in Hamilton in February, he should go close. Like Ika, Iosefo knows how important performing well for MAC today is.

"We have to sharpen up our discipline. We may be able to beat some teams playing with with 12 players for 20 or 30 minutes but not Tech.

"I have no doubt this season's MAC team is the best we've had since I've been in the Bay.
I know our supporters would be thrilled if we won a semifinal berth. However, it's important we worry about ourselves first. If we worry about what our supporters are thinking about it's easy to forget about our own jobs," Iosefo said.

His cousin, Jordan Faia, is a starting loosie for the Texans today and, with Iosefo starting at first five-eighth, they could clash regularly.

"The last thing I want is to have Jordan and his mates get the better of us," he added.

While MAC have the potential to get within 11 points of the Texans the hosts could win by 19 if they maintain recent form. The closest match is likely to be played at Anderson Park where Progressive Meats Havelock North should sneak in by seven against Taradale Rugby and Sports.

Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports should maintain their unbeaten run with a comfortable 22-point win against Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Elwood Park. The host pack will be too powerful for the visiting engine room which will miss the services of New Zealand Universities reps prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and lock Damien Scott.

WIT Napier Old Boys Marist head coach Craig Gowler will be disappointed if his defending champions and top qualifiers don't win by 30 when they host eighth qualifiers Jarks Tamatea at Park Island.

A high injury count forced Northfuels Central to default their playoff for ninth against K9 Petfoods Clive at Farndon Park.

■ Former Magpie Ihaia West scored 26 points for the Hurricanes Development team in Thursday night's 36-27 win against Japan A in Levin. West scored three tries, kicked four conversions and one penalty.