Rugby: Loosie Ricky Hayes puts hand up for Magpies contract

Magpies halfback Ellery Wilson feeds his backs during yesterday's win in Featherston. Photo / Jade Cvetkov

Versatility can often be the difference between making or missing out on higher honours and Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby loosie Ricky Hayes is banking on it.

Hayes, 20, plays most of his club rugby for Napier Old Boys Marist at blindside flanker but was one of the Hawke's Bay Magpies best players during a 45-minute starting stint at openside during yesterday's preseason 57-14 win against Wairarapa Bush in atrocious conditions at Featherston.

"I don't mind which side of the scrum I play. I was just so happy with the good skills all the boys showed today in poor conditions," Hayes said afterwards.

"I had a game for the Magpies last year when I was called into the squad after they had a few injuries. The goal this year is to make the Mitre 10 Cup squad from the start of the season."

Considering how well the Taradale High School old boy has been playing at club level as well as yesterday Hayes should go close. The fact he can also play lock as well as second five-eighth will also work in his favour.

Magpies head coach Mark Ozich was delighted with his troops' display.

"It rained for most of the game and the guys did well considering the slippery ball. One can't be critical after a game like that."

Captain and lock Tom Parsons continued the outstanding form produced for his Central club on Saturday and led the visitors by example. Prop Joe Apikotoa was a commanding figure at collision time and carried well.

Parsons starting locking partner Matt Gardner was a tireless worker and substitute lock Sam Ulufonoa maintained the high standards set by the starters. Substitute prop Pouri Rakete-Stones was explosive.

New flanker Solomone Funaki, who has transferred from Bay of Plenty and has also played for Tonga A alongside MAC utility back Johnny Ika, played the final 20 minutes and was strong on defence. Starting midfielders Pasqualle Dunn and Sasa Tofilau provided quality go forward ball each time they busted the advantage line.

Wairarapa Bush coach Joe Harwood said he was proud of the way his lads started.

"We had plenty of shape and were looking good. But the Bay started to get on top of us in the second quarter ... they had too many big bodies. But at the same time there were still plenty of positives for us."

Harwood pointed out captain and No 8 Kirk Tufuga was the best of the Bush players.
"Kirk was industrious on attack and busy on defence."

The Magpies next preseason match will be against Manawatu in Palmerston North on July 4. It goes without saying this assignment will be a lot tougher than yesterday's.

Ozich and Magpies manager Terry Gittings were thrilled to report there were no further additions to the Magpies injury list which already contains 13 players.

Yesterday's victory was their second consecutive preseason win after last month's 29-22 win against Tasman in Lower Hutt.

Scorers:
Hawke's Bay Magpies 57 (Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe 2, Michael Buckley, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Folau Fakatava, Hayden Hann, Ricky Hayes, Pasqualle Dunn, Joe Apikotoa tries; Lincoln McClutchie 4, Tianua Poto 2 cons), Wairarapa Bush 14 (Tipene Haira, Epeli Rayaqayaqa tries; Haira 2 cons). HT: 19-7.