MAC halfback William Schuster feeds his backs during training last night. Photo / Duncan Brown
MAC halfback William Schuster feeds his backs during training last night. Photo / Duncan Brown
Mention the discipline word to William Schuster and the MAC premier rugby halfback nods his head.
"Yes that's been a big work-on for us this week. We have to get it right because if we don't Tianua will punish us ... we all know how good his goalkicking is." Schustersaid referring to K9 Petfoods Clive pivot and former MAC player Tianua Poto.
The two teams which meet in an eighth round Tui Nash Cup fixture at Flaxmere Park tomorrow have been the most ill-disciplined in the comp. A fortnight ago they each had three sinbinnings in their respective games.
Schuster, 23, has an extra incentive to help the hosts post their fifth win of the season. It's his 50th match for the team.
"Fifty games is a good feeling. I'm the third player to bring up the milestone this season," he said pointing to fellow backs Jackson Waerea and Setu Kereti who had recorded the feat earlier.
Schuster has played for MAC since he was five. The former Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV player had a winning debut for the premiers at Easter in 2011 in a 44-18 win against Central.
"We made the Maddison Trophy semifinals that year and almost beat Havelock North. That's been the highlight of my career to date," he said reflecting on the 11-8 loss to the villagers at Anderson Park.
The Progressive Meats slaughterboard worker dabbled in every other backline position before settling on the halfback role last year. His long-term goal is a berth in the Magpies squad.
"I know I have to get my passing faster and more accurate both ways before that will come."
In addition to discipline set piece play has been a priority for MAC this week according to Schuster.
"Clive and MAC are always big games. I'm not worried about a margin ... as long as we beat them."
Schuster, who ranked All Blacks Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara as his halfback idols, has heard talk suggesting MAC will be a serious threat come the business end of the Maddison Trophy comp.
"Our confidence levels are right up there this season. We've got more depth than in the past and our fitness levels are the best they've been since I've been with the prems ... that was the key to our 21-18 win against Havelock at the start of the season."
MAC head coach Anthony Morley had told his troops he has had enough of "love letters" from the Hawke's Bay union. Love letters is the nickname he has given to letters telling his sinbinned players they will receive an automatic one game suspension if they receive two sinbinnings.
In other games tomorrow unbeaten defending champions Carters Frame and Truss Taradale should sneak in by six points in their top-of-the-table clash with Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Tamatea Park, Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist should pip Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports by seven at Park Island, Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical should beat Progressive Meats Havelock North by eight at Anderson Park and Northfuels Central should beat Tamatea by 11 points.
