Rugby: Magpies' cup hopefuls shine in wet conditions

Fringe player Jason Long boosted his chances for selection with a strong performance.

It was the last throw of the dice for Hawke's Bay Saracens rugby players hoping to crack the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad on Saturday.

It was also a massive assignment for the Saracens taking on a more experienced and more physical team.

However, three fringe players, prop Jason Long, hooker Jorian Tangaere and flanker Ben Hamelink, boosted their chances of selection with strong performances.

"They certainly didn't do their chances any harm," Magpies head coach Craig Philpott said after the Saracens were beaten 19-3 in muddy conditions at Hawera.

Philpott had to be careful how he relayed the news because, while the players have been told who has made the squad, it won't be publicly released until tomorrow. Equally pleasing for Philpott as the form of this trio was the improvement the Saracens displayed on the previous week's 54-17 loss to the Manawatu Evergreens in Napier.

"There was good improvement in all areas from last week. It was a pretty even game in which two pushover tries proved to be the difference," Philpott said.

The Saracens led 3-0 at halftime after a penalty from first five-eighth Tiaan Falcon. Philpott was pleased they held the hosts out until the 65th minute.

Taranaki's scrum gained the upper hand in the second half after changes were made to the Saracens' starting eight. Taranaki No8 Mitchell Brown scored two pushover tries.

There were 32 scrums in the game and 21 lineouts. Philpott said the lineout tussle was even.

Taranaki winger Manasa Mataele made the most of his limited opportunities on attack. His backline was well served by New Zealand under-20s rep Stephen Perofeta and midfielders Isaia Tuifua and Johnny Fa'auli combined well.

With Super midfielders Sean Wainui and Seta Tamanivalu still to return, Philpott believed the Naki's midfield will be one of their strengths this season. Former Magpies lock Leighton Price started for the hosts while former Magpies utility back Trinity Spooner-Neera got the final five minutes off the pine.

Price has been selected in Taranaki's Mitre 10 Cup squad but Spooner-Neera missed out.

Taranaki 19 (Mitchell Brown 2, Cody Whittaker tries; Beaudein Waaka 2 cons) Hawke's Bay Saracens 3 (Tiaan Falcon pen). Halftime: HB 3-0.