Rugby: Ozich realistic about Magpies title hopes

Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team head coach Mark Ozich believes this season's draw is better than last year's. Photo/File

Top marks for realism go to new Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team head coach Mark Ozich.

There has been plenty of talk within Hawke's Bay rugby circles suggesting Ozich's Magpies will have enough talent to win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship this season and return to the Premiership. However Ozich, who replaced Craig Philpott in November, adopted a realistic approach after the Magpies draw was announced yesterday.

"We've got to be realistic. There are so many variables ... new signings and a new culture. A semifinal, home or away, has to be a realistic goal," Ozich said.

"Improved performances will be a big priority and that means eliminating those blowouts we experienced last year."

Considering the Magpies will be playing without two of their senior backs from recent seasons, Highlander and 2017 back-of-the-year Richard Buckman and Maori All Blacks and Hurricanes first five-eighth Ihaia West Magpies fans should be happy with a semifinal finish this season. Buckman will head to Japan and West to France after their respective Super Rugby campaigns.

In Buckman's absence experienced Chiefs utility Sam McNicol will become a key member of the backline if he can shake off his concussion issues which have nagged him for the past two seasons.

Ozich is happy with the draw which will see the Magpies play their first two games away - Southland in Invercargill on August 19 and Otago in Dunedin the following Friday.

These consecutive away fixtures will allow the drainage upgrade at Napier's McLean Park to be completed before the Magpies return for their first home game against Counties-Manukau on Sunday, September 2.

"It's definitely a better draw than last year's. We start late and finish early and our Storm Week is near the end of the season," Ozich said, referring to their three round-robin games within nine days against North Harbour at home on September 22, Northland at home on September 26 and Canterbury away on September 30.

"Last year our first five games were played during the first three weeks of the competition."

The Magpies haven't got a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki. However if Taranaki retain the shield during their first defence against Manawatu on August 24 and Waikato win their challenge on September 9 the Magpies will get a challenge against Waikato on September 13.

It's ironic the Magpies open their campaign against Southland. Ozich and his forwards coach Josh Syms were on the Stags coaching staff in 2013.

The Magpies draw is:
Sunday, August 19 v Southland in Invercargill 4.35pm; Friday, August 24 v Otago in Dunedin 5.45pm; Sunday, September 2 v Counties-Manukau in Napier 2.05pm; Saturday, September 8 v Bay of Plenty in Napier 4.35pm; Thursday, September 13 v Waikato in Hamilton 7.35pm; Saturday, September 22 v North Harbour in Napier 2.35pm; Sunday, September 30 v Canterbury in Christchurch 2.05pm; Friday, October 5 v Manawatu in Napier 7.35pm; Thursday, October 11 v Tasman in Nelson 7.35pm.