Rugby: Philpott to skip shield clash for Barbarians

Magpies coach Craig Philpott. PHOTO/FILE

Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's head coach Craig Philpott will miss his team's scheduled Ranfurly Shield defence against Horowhenua-Kapiti on July 16.

Philpott has been appointed assistant coach of the New Zealand Barbarians and he will be in Auckland with the Barbarians preparing for their July 18 clash against the Maori All Blacks at Eden Park. His assistant Danny Lee will be in charge of the Magpies at the McLean Park defence.

"Initially I turned the Barbarians role down because of the shield game. But Brendan [Mahony, Hawke's Bay union chairman] and Mike [Bishop, union CEO] fully supported me in taking it on," Philpott said.

Former All Black Scott McLeod, a Highlanders assistant coach, will be the Barbarians head coach and he will have Philpott and Auckland head coach Paul Feeney as his assistants.

"I'm thrilled. It's going to be a fantastic game featuring a number of All Blacks ... the next best 45 players after the team which plays Samoa in Apia early in July," Philpott said.

He tipped Magpies utility backs Andrew Horrell and Richard Buckman as contenders for the Barbarians team while fellow Magpies Brendon Edmonds, Ash Dixon and Ihaia West could feature in the Maori All Blacks.

All three were in the Maori All Blacks team who toured Japan last year. Their Super Rugby form to date suggests it will be a surprise if they are not selected again.

Barbarians fixtures are traditionally open, entertaining affairs and with the Maori All Blacks likely to adopt a similar approach Philpott had no doubt it would be a spectacular night of rugby at Eden Park.

Philpott and the remainder of the Barbarians coaching staff will assemble in Auckland on July 13 and their players the following day.

The Maori All Blacks begin their tour with a match against Fiji in Suva on July 11.

They last played the New Zealand Barbarians in 2010 as part of the centenary series winning 37-31.

The Horowhenua-Kapiti match should be the Magpies' second shield defence this season. Their first will be on July 9 against Wairarapa Bush at McLean Park and their last against Heartland opponents is scheduled for July 23 at McLean Park against Mid Canterbury.

While Philpott and Lee have had a wider training group training since before Christmas, players who shine in club rugby during the next fortnight could force their way into contention for selection for the defences. As part of the Magpies build-up to the July fixtures a Hawke's Bay Saracens Selection will play the Manawatu Evergreens at Waipukurau on June 17.