It's no secret the Magpies scrum has been dealt to on a regular basis this season and Long has heard the talk suggesting it will better for the experience. The likes of himself, Jarvy Aoake and world champion Baby Blacks Pouri Rakete-Stones and Tim Farrell will display the benefits of the lessons learnt this year, next season. Long, a key member of the Hawkeyes superstock speedway team during the summer months, is too much of a competitor to accept this easy out.
"We have to fix things this season and we've done a lot of work on our scrum this week. We have to try and scrummage as an eight. We have to be nice and tight and keep our weight forward ... we've got stuck on our back foot a lot this season."
"We know it's going to be a big challenge but we've got an opportunity to improve ... it's a good way to monitor how much we have improved."
"Harbour have got some big boys ... a massive front row," Long said referring to Karl Tu'inukuafe who is 135kgs and Sione Mafileo who is 123kgs. Loosehead Long is 108kgs and his tighthead Rakete-Stones is 113kgs.
"We've got a few little things to try and negate what they try to do," Long added.
Long and his fellow Magpies forwards will need every "little thing" they can get their hands on. Former Magpies co-coach Tom Coventry, one of the best forward pack coaches on the planet, is the Harbour head coach this season and he has had a huge influence in the side's rise.
Magpies head coach Craig Philpott has made two changes to his starting XV used in last weekend's loss to Taranaki. Maori All Black and Hurricanes-bound pivot Ihaia West replaces Dan Snee in the No 10 jersey and Tiaan Falcon returns from Saracens duty to replace West at fullback.
Philpott's subs bench remains unchanged and with new Waratah Nick Palmer still unavailable with the flu, Saracen Josh Eden-Whaitiri will again be the substitute lock.
It isn't only Harbour's massive front row which has the potential to cause the Magpies problems. The hosts boast quality right across the park and on the pine so it isn't surprising they sit third on the Premiership points table.
Harbour's halfback-first five-eighth combination of Bryn Hall and Bryn Gatland will have to be marked closely. Magpies winger Mason Emerson produced an outstanding defensive display against Taranaki and he will need to repeat it when marking Harbour co-captain Matt Duffie.
Harbour fullback Shaun Stevenson has plenty of pace and will run riot if his freedom isn't restricted. Former All Black lock Jarrad Hoeata is a tough customer and co-captain and hooker James Parsons, another former All Black, has been a consistent performer this season.
The Hurricanes pair of prop Chris Eves and halfback Chris Smylie have regularly provided quality impact off the pine and command the utmost respect. With Matt Vaega starting at centre for the hosts and his brother Cardiff on the right wing for the Magpies and with their younger brother TJ expected to get time off the bench for the Magpies, it will be interesting to see if all three happen to be on at the same time.
Both teams:
Hawke's Bay: Tiaan Falcon, Cardiff Vaega, Jonah Lowe, Richard Buckman, Mason Emerson, Ihaia West, Brad Weber, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Hugh Renton, Tony Lamborn, Geoff Cridge, Michael Allardice, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Ash Dixon, Ash Dixon (captain), Jason Long. Substitutes, forwards: Jacob Devery, Tim Farrell, Jarvy Aoake, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Fa'alemiga Selesele. Backs: Ellery Wilson, Pasqualle Dunn, TJ Vaega.
North Harbour: Shaun Stevenson, Matt Duffie (co-captain), Matt Vaega, Shaun Treeby, Mark Telea, Bryn Gatland, Bryn Hall, Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, Connor Collett, Glenn Preston, Jarrad Hoeata, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons (co-captain), Karl Tu'inukuafe. Substitutes, forwards: Adrian Smith, Chris Eves, Mike Tamoaieta, Brandon Nansen, Murphy Taramai. Backs: Chris Smylie, Dan Hilton-Jones, Ben Volavola.
