Rugby: Magpies sent back to Championship

INJURY BLOW: Robbie Fruean collected a hamstring injury in tonight's loss to Waikato. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN .

The Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's quest to stay in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership is over.

Waikato sent the Magpies back to the Championship with a 46-22 win at Hamilton's FMG Stadium tonight. The Magpies will be playing for pride when they host Championship outfit Bay of Plenty in their final game of the season at Napier's McLean Park next Saturday night.

Waikato not only secured their berth in the Premiership for next year, they also kept their semifinal hopes alive.

The Magpies first half effort was a repeat of what they produced in Palmerston North and worse. The biggest problem of their season, missed tackles, returned big time.

Hawke's Bay missed 12 trackles in the first half, eight more than Waikato. They made far too many errrors and and conceded seven penalties, five more than Waikato.

The visitors weren't helped when all three officials missed a forward pass which led to the hosts first try in the seventh minute to winger Iliesa Ratuva.

Hawke's Bay finished the game with 25 missed tackles, 13 more than Waikato.

The Magpies were still in the game until Ratuva scored his second try with 11 minutes remaining to give the hosts a 39-22 lead.

The Magpies Bath-bound centre Robbie Fruean is likely to miss the Bay of Plenty game with a hamstring injury.

Scorers:
Waikato 46 (Iliesa Ratuva 2, Jordan Trainor, Willis Halaholo, Tau Koloamatangi, Jason Robertson tries; Trainor 5 cons, 2 pens), Hawke's Bay 22 (Tony Lamborn, Mason Emerson, penalty try; tries; Ihaia West 2 cons, pen). HT: 27-3.