Magpies second five-eighth Pasqualle Dunn completes a passing drill during yesterday's Captain's Run. Photo/Warren Buckland
Hawke's Bay rugby fans will be surprised to learn second five-eighth Pasqualle Dunn was in a coma five months ago.
"It was pretty scary. I had a bit of back pain and couldn't walk. Christie [his wife] was eight months pregnant with our son Isaiyah and had to carry me almost 30m to the car to get me to Middlemore Hospital. I was in a coma for a couple of days and in hospital for two weeks," Dunn, 23, recalled.
"There was no blood flow through my body. It was too thick and my kidneys and lungs were infected. I had been sick before but nothing like that."
That hospital stint came midway through the Blues' wider training squad member's club season with College Rifles. When Dunn arrived in the Bay in August he hadn't played for three months which explains why he was struggling for fitness during his early Mitre 10 Cup appearances off the bench.
However second five-eighth Dunn, who will have his first starting XV appearance in tonight's ninth round Championship clash against Northland in Whangarei after five stints off the pine, looked more than handy against North Harbour eight days ago with a couple of memorable carries and seven tackles. The same fans who were texting yours truly questioning the wisdom surrounding his selection at the start of the season were sending texts of praise about Dunn.
"I'm about 90 per cent now and hitting my straps. I'm really glad to be in the team. I'm excited every time I pull on the jersey and try to get better with each outing."
Dunn will replace Highlander Richard Buckman in the No 12 jersey. Buckman was originally going to start at fullback but he collected a leg injury at training earlier this week and has been replaced by new Chief and world champion Baby Black Tiaan Falcon.
There will be an extra incentive for Dunn to fire tonight. Northland is where his father Reg, a relation of former All Blacks and Eddie and Ian Dunn, hails from.
"Dad is a big Taniwha fan. He always keeps me up-to-date with how well they are doing. I know it's going to be a tough game."
Dunn and his midfield partner Jonah Lowe will have a challenging assignment marking the Taniwha pair of in-form Crusader Jack Goodhue and former All Black Rene Ranger.
"Every game I try to get better and better. It's the same with every day in life when I try to improve my health and fitness and try and become a better person. That has always been my approach to life," Dunn explained.
"I'm aiming to pick up another Super contract. But if I can't I'll try and get an overseas contract before coming back here for the second year of my Magpies contract next year. The Vaega boys [Cardiff and TJ] and I were just saying the other day how much we will miss the Bay when we leave for the summer. There are some really good players here and it was good to have some games with the Saracens and get some good results with them," he added.
Magpies head coach Craig Philpott was forced to make a couple of late changes at training on Thursday. In addition to the Buckman change which will see Hayden Hann take a spot on the subs bench injured locks, Chief Michael Allardice and Hurricane Geoff Cridge have been replaced by Josh Eden-Whaitiri and new Waratah Nick Palmer.
Philpott said Allardice is still being nagged by the old rib injury which was aggravated against Harbour but he is confident of being available for next weekend's final outing of the season against Manawatu in Napier but Cridge faces a 12-month stint on the sideline after collecting a knee injury when he slid over at training earlier this week.
Dunn and co have made no secret of the fact they want to build on the display produced in an unlucky 33-30 loss to Harbour. They know Northland will be desperate for a victory to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Highlanders loosie Dan Pryor returns to the Taniwha outfit in one of three changes made to the team which lost to Counties-Manukau last weekend. Pryor replaces his brother, Blues loosie Kara Pryor, who will be on the subs bench.
Another loosie, Murray Douglas, also returns and will start at blindside flanker. Taniwha fans have been singing the praises of their skipper, hooker Matt Moulds.
His Magpies counterpart Ash Dixon has returned to his best form after a couple of injuries and this individual tussle will be one of several key match-ups which will influence the game's outcome.
Both teams
■NORTHLAND: Solomon Alaimalo, Jordan Hyland, Rene Ranger, Jack Goodhue, Matt Wright, Peter Breen, Sam Nock, Matt Matich, Dan Pryor, Murray Douglas, Tim Bond, Joshua Goodhue, Ropate Rinakama, Matt Moulds (c), Ross Wright.
Substitutes, forwards: Jordan Olsen, Phil Kite, Chris Apoua, Michael Faleafa, Kara Pryor.
Backs: Emil Pittman, Dan Hawkins, Tamati Tua.
■HAWKE'S BAY: Tiaan Falcon, Cardiff Vaega, Jonah Lowe, Pasqualle Dunn, Mason Emerson, Ihaia West, Brad Weber, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Tony Lamborn, Hugh Renton, Nick Palmer, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Ash Dixon (c), Jason Long.
Substitutes, forwards: Jacob Devery, Tim Farrell, Jarvy Aoake, Ben Parsons, Fa'alemiga Selesele.
Backs: Ellery Wilson, Hayden Hann, TJ Vaega.