Rugby: Magpies eye shield repeat

Potential Challenge: The Magpies could meet Counties-Manukau in a Ranfurly Shield challenge in September. Photo/File

Guess what had Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team co-coach Craig Philpott buzzing the most as he digested the Mitre 10 Cup draw.

"That potential Ranfurly Shield challenge against Counties-Manukau ... it jumped out at me. We've got a chance to repeat what we did in 2014 but obviously we can't get too far ahead of ourselves," Philpott said referring to the Magpies 27-21 win in Pukekohe three years ago.

Should the Steelers take the shield off Canterbury on September 13 in Christchurch the Magpies will have the next challenge in Pukekohe four days later. Otago and Southland will challenge Canterbury for the log of wood before the Steelers but Philpott believed the Steelers had the best chance of lifting it.

The Magpies will have a week to prepare for the challenge should it eventuate as their last encounter before travelling to ECOLight Stadium will be a home game against Otago at Napier's McLean Park on September 10. This match will be the Magpies third in what Philpott described as the team's "Storm Week."

It will begin with Canterbury at McLean Park on September 1 and will also include a September 6 away match against the Wellington Lions. Philpott stressed the Lions and Otago fixtures were key matches in the Magpies quest to repeat their 2015 Championship title-winning feat to enable a return to the Premiership.

Three family-friendly afternoon home games were also greeted with delight by Philpott. In addition to the Otago match which will kick off at 4.35pm the Magpies will host the Southland Stags at 2.35pm in their August 19 campaign opener and the Manawatu Turbos in their final round robin fixture on October 15.

"We love our afternoon home games here in the Bay," Philpott said.

He returned to the Bay yesterday after spending most of last week in Palmerston North in his head coach role with the New Zealand under-20 team. Before the development camp for a 48-strong squad which included Magpies inside back Tiaan Falcon and loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u and 2016 Hawke's Bay under-19 frontrower Pouri Rakete-Stones a tight five specialist coaching clinic was also held.

Hawke's Bay's Tim Farrell, who was a New Zealand Secondary Schools prop last year, attended the clinic and camp as he is seen as potential 2018 Baby Black. The New Zealand under-20 team for the Oceania tournament on the Gold Coast during April and May will be announced on March 27.

Without giving too much away Philpott said Bay fans could expect some representation in this squad. Following this tournament a Baby Blacks squad of 28 will be selected for the May 25-June 18 World Championship in Georgia.

The Magpies draw is:
Saturday, August 19 v Southland at McLean Park 2.35pm; Friday, August 25 v Bay of Plenty away 5.45pm; Friday, September 1 v Canterbury at McLean Park 7.35pm; Wednesday, September 6 v Wellington away 7.35pm; Sunday, September 10 v Otago at McLean Park 4.35pm; Sunday, September 17 v Counties-Manukau away 2.35pm; Saturday, September 23 v Taranaki at McLean Park 7.35pm; Friday, September 29 v North Harbour away 7.35pm; Saturday, October 7 v Northland away 5.05pm; Sunday, October 15 v Manawatu at McLean Park 5.35pm. October 20-21 Semifinal weekend; October 27 Final.