Magpies lock Tom Parsons gets high during yesterday's Captain's Run at Taradale. Photo / Glen Taylor
Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby lock Tom Parsons has busted the "Twin Towers" albeit with a bit of assistance.
No it's not another 9-11 in New York but in Magpies rugby terms it's almost of similar magnitude. The "Twin Towers" is the nickname given to the Magpies No1 locking combo of Mark Abbott and Michael Allardice.
They were the starting locking duo in all but one of the Magpies ITM Cup games last season and have started in all three matches to date this season. However, with in-form No8 Gareth Evans ruled out of tonight's fourth-round clash against Northland in Whangarei with an ankle injury, Hurricane Abbott switches to No8 which allows Parsons the opportunity to partner Allardice.
"They are a pretty formidable combination. But it's good to get a start and hopefully I can stamp my mark and keep Abbott at No8," said Parsons, 24, after yesterday's Captain's Run at Taradale before the Magpies flew north.
It will be Parsons' third start in eight first-class appearances for the Bay. The Hastings Rugby and Sports club player and product of Lindisfarne College is hoping to reproduce the form he displayed during his 15 minutes off the pine during last weekend's Ranfurly Shield win against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe.
"I was stoked to get game time and it was even better to win the shield in such an intense struggle," Parsons, who stole one of the Steelers lineout throws and made six tackles, explained.
The fact his parents Rod, a former Magpie, and mother Margot were among the spectators made it sweeter.
"They've been to all my games but won't be going to Whangarei because of the distance and the fact they're going to the All Blacks game. I know they'd love to be there."
As one would expect, Parsons, a former Canterbury age group representative, receives plenty of tips from the old man.
"He's pretty old school but was a big influence during my younger days. He keeps telling me I need to have more mongrel and more physical presence at the breakdown."
The agricultural contractor pointed out the fact he's starting makes it easier to prepare for mentally than sitting on the bench uncertain of when the call will come to take the field. Like the rest of the Magpies forwards Parsons has done plenty of research on the Taniwha lineout.
"Northland have a better functioning lineout than the Steelers but I'm confident we can get the better of them. It's important we bring the same intensity as last week."
Parsons said the Magpies were eager to produce a top display for loosie Trent Boswell-Wakefield who will miss the game as his mother Carole's funeral is tomorrow. She was killed when hit by a train while walking her dog in Napier on Monday.
"Trent has given us massive motivation," Magpies head coach Craig Philpott said.
With fullback Israel Dagg back on All Black duty Richard Buckman switches from right wing to fullback, Ryan Tongia switches from left wing to the right and Mikey Vuicakau, who missed the trip to Pukekohe, returns in the No11 jersey.
Hawke's Bay Development team co-captain Tivaini Fomai is one of three players appearing on the Magpies' subs bench for the first time this season. He gets an opportunity as Ged Robinson had knee surgery this week.
New Zealand under-20s lock Geoff Cridge and flanker Tom Stanley, who have also played for the Development team this season, will make their Cup debuts if they get game time.
Match details
Northland v Hawke's Bay
8.05pm.
Toll Stadium.
*Northland: Mathew Wright, Whiria Meltzer, Brook Gilmore, Troy Gilbert, Latiume Fosita, Dan Hawkins, Tane Takula, Cam Eyre (captain), Jack Ram, Dan Pryor, Tom Murday, Shane Neville, Namatahi Waa, Matthew Moulds, Ross Wright.
Substitutes, forwards: Howard Silioto, WillGriff John, Michael Stolberg, Kara Pryor. Backs, Kurt Davies, Warren Dunn, Dan McCully.
*Hawke's Bay: Richard Buckman, Ryan Tongia, Robbie Fruean, Andrew Horrell, Mikey Vuicakau, Ihaia West, Chris Eaton, Mark Abbott, Brendon O'Connor (captain), Tony Lamborn, Tom Parsons, Michael Allardice, Jason Marshall, Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds.
Substitutes, forwards: Tivaini Fomai, Adrian Barone, Geoff Cridge, Tom Stanley. Backs: Ellery Wilson, Jason Shoemark, Matt Berquist.