MAC utility back Tom Iosefo cleans a carpet for Enviro Clean. Photo / Warren Buckland
Sometimes coaches and players are reluctant to reveal their winning recipes but MAC first five-eighth Tom Iosefo had no hesitation.
"Having two weeks off," Iosefo replied when quizzed on the secret to MAC's 32-29 win against Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical in Saturday's first round of Hawke's Bay's Tui Maddison Trophy premier club rugby competition.
It came three weeks after the Texans thrashed MAC 55-5 in their Nash Cup quarterfinal at the same venue, Napier's Whitmore Park.
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"Those two weeks gave us plenty of time to look at the areas which cost us in that quarter-final. Most of it came down to attitude and discipline ... we fixed those areas, gave it our all and produced our best game of the season," Iosefo recalled after finishing a day on the job for Enviro Clean yesterday.
"Our defensive work improved 100 per cent too. Everyone was on the same page defensively ... those simple one-on-one tackles we missed three weeks earlier were made."
With 17 points including a match-winning try in the final play of the game Iosefo, 31, was the obvious choice for the week-nine winner as the tussle for the McDonalds-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award continued.
"That last try was a great moment for me. We were 29-27 down at the time and after missing two conversion attempts which would have given us a comfortable lead earlier on I knew I had to do something. I managed to find some space and came up with the try," Iosefo recalled.
"I had a huge feeling of relief after the game. It was only my third game back after a shoulder injury I picked up while playing for the Samoan Sevens team on the World Series circuit. The previous game against Tech was my first and the shoulder was only 60-70 per cent then. The next game against Pirates it was around 90 and now it's 100."
Iosefo pointed out the shoulder injury cost him a berth in the Magpies squad for the Queen's Birthday match against Wairarapa Bush in Masterton.
"Hopefully, I can keep playing like I did at the weekend and I get called back into the squad again. I know I have to keep working so I can perform at the next level."
He agreed Saturday's match against defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist at Flaxmere Park will provide him with an ideal opportunity to enhance his chances.
"Marist smashed all of the teams they played in the first round. We have to go out there with the aim of trying to end their unbeaten run. Tamatea proved what can be done with the right attitude ... they trailed 19-15 at halftime before being beaten 66-30.
"Marist always change up a gear in the second half. Our fitness has to be spot on and we can compete with them if we get the little things right."
A 2014 Commonwealth Games representative in Glasgow, Iosefo will mark good friend and Hawke's Bay Samoans team teammate Johnny Lauano. Expect plenty of entertaining banter between the pair as well as some spectacular rugby.
Best & fairest
MAC v Napier Technical: 3, Tom Iosefo (MAC); 2, Perrin Manuel (Tech); 1, Fa'alemiga Selesele (MAC).
Taradale v Clive: 3, Andrew Gardner (Taradale); 2, Bronson Hokianga (Clive); 1, Josh Eden-Whaitiri (Clive).
NOBM v Tamatea: 3, Michael Buckley (NOBM); 2, Mason Kean (Tamatea); 1, Hannon Brighouse (NOBM).
Hastings v Central: 3, Ben Hamelink (Hastings); 2, Pasqualle Dunn (Central); 1, Ausage Fomai (Hastings).
Havelock North v Pirate: 3, Paea Taulanga (Havelock); 2, Adam Blake (Havelock); 1, Pouri Rakete-Stones (Pirate).
Leaderboard: 12 points: Chris Johnston (NOBM). 9: Johnny Ika (MAC). 8: Aleki Vuki (Hastings). 7: Hannon Brighouse (NOBM), Fa'alemiga Selesele (MAC). 6: Mark Braidwood (Tech). 5: JJ Taulagi (Tech), Sam Weber (NOBM), Danny Toala, Ben Hamelink (both Hastings), Mason Kean, Lincoln McClutchie (both Tamatea).