Magpies midfielder Pasqualle Dunn is enjoying playing alongside his former Auckland teammate, Stacey Ili. Photo / File
Wind the clock back to the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's clash with Northland last year and the news wasn't flash for Magpies second five-eighth Pasqualle Dunn.
Thirty minutes into the Whangarei-hosted encounter Dunn was forced from the field with a season-ending shoulder injury. He watched Northland, the province where his father, Reg, a relation of former All Blacks Eddie and Ian Dunn, hails from, go on to beat the Magpies 34-7.
Naturally Dunn, 24, wants a better outcome when the Magpies host Northland in a Mitre 10 Cup Championship seventh-round match at Napier's McLean Park tonight. Dunn, 24, has produced some solid form in recent weeks and his combination with centre Stacey Ili impressed during last weekend's 51-34 loss to North Harbour.
"It's a lot easier when you have a player with Stacey's fire power and skill outside you. He has a mature head and with him doing most of the talking I can just focus on my jobs," Dunn explained.
A former Blues wider training squad member, Dunn pointed out he and Ili were in the Auckland Mitre 10 Cup squad together in 2016. While they didn't get any first-class games together they had several outings in the Auckland A team alongside one another.
"I enjoy playing with him," Dunn said. "Last year dad gave me plenty of stick about the Taniwha coming to get us. He is in England with the rest of the family and will be watching from afar. Hopefully I have converted him to being a Magpies supporter now."
While returning to the Super Rugby scene is a long-term goal for Dunn his main goal is to play every match for the Magpies this season.
"I want to help us win the championship and get promoted."
"We've got a good squad with everyone willing to work hard for each other. Everyone is buying into our season's goals and is willing to win the competition," Dunn said.
In addition to his rugby duties Dunn and wife Christie are expecting their second child within the next week.
"I'm on standby. Terry [Gittings, Magpies manager] has my phone during games and trainings just in case I get the call. It's exciting times ... the boys are playing well and another baby is on the way," he added.
With Northland boasting what Magpies head coach Mark Ozich described as "a physical and pretty explosive pack" it wasn't a surprise to see changes to his engine room and a six-two forwards-backs split on his subs bench when he announced the side at yesterday's captain's run. Lock-loosie Geoff Cridge has done enough off the pine in recent games to earn a start and tonight it will be at blindside flanker.
This will give the Magpies another lineout option and allow Highlander Marino Mikaele-Tu'u to start in his preferred position of No 8. Co-captain Gareth Evans switches from No 8 to openside flanker.
"It doesn't matter where Gareth plays he will give you the same output. Marino is more comfortable off the back. We've gone a bit bigger and more physical to match the physicality Northland will bring," Ozich said.
"Hopefully we can get parity initially at set-piece time and then get on top later in the match."
Ozich agreed Dunn and Ili had their best match together in the weekend's loss to North Harbour. A key factor was the spark provided by Lincoln McClutchie on debut at first five-eighth.
"Lincoln's organisation and driving of the game provided plenty of opportunities for them and our wingers. I haven't seen Jonah [Lowe] and Mason [Emerson] with so much pill before," Ozich added.
Lowe finished with an average gain of 6.1 metres from eight carries and Emerson with 8.4 from five. They will need similar opportunities if the hosts are to secure the vital victory they need to stay in semifinal contention.
It's no secret the Magpies will have to restrict the freedom of Northland centre Rene Ranger. The visitors also boast some handy forwards including loosies Matt Matich and Kara Pryor and lock Josh Goodhue.
Yes, it's easy to see the Magpies need to maintain their intensity for 80 minutes to win this one.
Teams for the 7.35pm match:
Hawke's Bay Magpies: JJ Taulagi, Jonah Lowe, Stacey Ili, Pasqualle Dunn, Mason Emerson, Lincoln McClutchie, Brad Weber (co-captain), Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Gareth Evans (co-captain), Geoff Cridge, Michael Allardice, Tom Parsons, Ben May, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Mark Braidwood. Substitutes: Forwards, Ben Power, Jason Long, Joe Apikotoa, Sam Ulufonua, Devan Flanders, Josh Kaifa. Backs, Folau Fakatava, Sasa Tofilau.
Northland: Matty Wright, Jordan Hyland, Rene Ranger, Blake Hohaia, Scott Gregory, Jack Debreczeni, Sam Nock, Matt Matich, Kara Pryor, Jaycob Matiu, Murray Douglas, Josh Goodhue, Ropate Rinakama, Jordan Olsen (captain), Isileli Tu'ungafasi. Substitutes: Forwards, Matt Moulds, Jack Straker, Paddy Jo Atkins, Temo Mayanavanua, Sam McNamara. Backs, Jono Kitto, Myles Thoroughgood, Renata Roberts-Te Nana.