Rugby: New rules hit Saracens

Robbie Fruen, Saracens Magpies, in action against the Manawatu Evergreens on Saturday. Photo / Warren Buckland

It's a case of the sooner the better as far as the Hawke's Bay Saracens rugby players are concerned in the countdown to Saturday's clash against Taranaki in Hawera.

The Saracens will be eager to redeem themselves after this debacle against the Manawatu Evergreens at Napier's McLean Park on Saturday. Hawke's Bay Magpies head coach Craig Philpott will have a warning for them at tonight's training session, too.

"In terms of the new rules Taranaki will be better. They've used them longer than Manawatu in their club competition."

As was the case when the Evergreens thrashed the Saracens 59-0 in Palmerston North on June 29, the Saracens struggled with the new rules around the breakdown and tackled ball areas on Saturday. The penalty count was 10-3 against them in the first half and this allowed the Evergreens to have the bulk of the territory and possession as they established a 26-7 lead before Wellington referee Mike Fraser blew halftime.

"It was Mike's first time refereeing a game with the new rules. I've asked him to have another look at his work around the offsides at breakdowns but we have to be able to adapt better," Philpott said.

He had every right to be happy with the improvement displayed by the Saracens in the third quarter but then the Evergreens' superior skill level saw the score blow out during the final 10 minutes.

Philpott said it was essential the Saracens improved during the next fortnight as many of them could get the opportunity to play in the Magpies opening Mitre 10 Cup clash against Wellington at McLean Park on August 20, when many of his Super players will still be on compulsory holidays after the Super season.

Blues pivot Ihaia West and former All Black lock Ross Filipo will start training with the squad this week but Philpott said the Hawera game might be too early for the pair.

There were positives for the Saracens.

Former Samoan Sevens captain Fa'alemiga Selesele was full of authority at No 8 and deserved the hosts' first try in the second minute.

Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports utility back Matt Garland did enough in his 40 minutes of action before heading off to his Maddison Trophy semifinal to suggest he should be named in the Mitre 10 Cup squad. He made three try-saving tackles during the first 12 minutes and a couple of clever passes.

Crusaders utility back Robbie Fruean, who has been out of action through illness and injury most of this year, made some memorable charges and proved he will again be a force at first class level this season. Second five-eighth Billy Ropiha also did some good work.

Evergreens winger Newton Tudreu scored four tries for a side well led by busy blindside flanker Heiden Bedwell-Curtis. Former Magpies lock Tom Parsons and former Hawke's Bay under-16 captain Travis Taylor, who scored two tries, were other powerful figures in the winning pack.

Another former Hawke's Bay under-16 rep, former New Zealand under-20s prop Tim Cadwallader, featured in a double round move which led to the first of Tudreu's tries.

Manawatu Evergreens 54 (Newton Tudreu 4, Travis Taylor 2, Ambrose Curtis, Matt Feaunati tries; Sam Malcom 4, Ben Wyness 3 cons) Hawke's Bay Saracens 17 (Fa'alemiga Selesele, Jonah Lowe, Tolu Fahamokioa tries; Dan Snee con). HT: 26-7.