Rugby: Structures and skills impress Philpott

Saracens XV flanker Tom Burns splinters the Hawke's Bay XV defence during last night's Magpies trial in Waipukurau. Photo/Glenn Taylor

Tom Burns belied the fact he was a late call-up to last night's Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby trial.

"I only got the call on Friday. I had Monday and Tuesday night to learn the moves," Burns said after producing a bolter-type display for the Saracens XV as they lost 29-12 to a Hawke's Bay XV at Waipukurau's Central Park.

"It was a good experience. The first 10 minutes I was blown away by it all, but then I got into it ... I ended up playing all 80 minutes," Burns, 21, said.

The Hastings Rugby and Sports lock-loosie, who is a product of the Ulster Rugby Academy in Ireland and in his second season in the Bay, replaced Napier Old Boys Marist's Sean Watts at openside flanker. Burns replicated the no-nonsense workaholic type form he has produced on a regular basis for his club with powerful carries, well-timed unloads and a huge defensive workrate.

When asked how he rated his chances of making the Magpies' ITM Cup team or the Hawke's Bay Development side, Burns replied: "When I came here last year I had no major goals and made the Hawke's Bay under-20s. I'll just keep doing what I do best and see where the coaches want to put me, but I'm happy with how I'm going."

Magpies head coach Craig Philpott was quick to praise the contributions from Burns and another late replacement in the Saracens XV, Napier Old Boys Marist flanker Sean Skeet. Philpott was impressed with the structures displayed by both teams, considering they had only had two trainings together, and with the swapping of players between them, both teams knew each other's moves.

"Sometimes when you have trials they can turn into a shambles but this one was pretty good and quite pleasing."

As expected, it was a physical encounter and some of the defensive work from both teams was brutal. Saracens XV winger and 2013 New Zealand under-20s World Cup player Penikolo Latu collected what appeared to be a serious knee injury, and his captain and prop Jason Long dislocated a finger.

More accurate details on how long this pair will be sidelined will be known today. Philpott had every right to be impressed with the manner in which Hawke's Bay XV props Mark Braidwood of the Napier Technical club and Taradale's Ezrah Amituanai gave their scrum the edge.

Amituanai's clubmate and Hawke's Bay XV midfield back Billy Ropiha was another to continue his outstanding club form and stake a serious claim for ITM Cup squad selection. Replacement halfback for the winning side, Havelock North's Isaac Paewai, signalled he was ready to be Chris Eaton's deputy again with some slick service and two tries from accurate support play.

Paewai was unavailable for rep play last year after being Eaton's deputy in 2012. However, it will be a surprise if he isn't required for the Magpies' pre-season camp later this month.

Philpott will announce his camp squad at the weekend.

Paewai scored the first of his tries in the 65th minute and when his first five-eighth Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald of the Napier Old Boys Marist club converted it his team took a 24-12 lead. The Saracens XV went into catch-up mode during the final quarter, lost some structure and conceded some soft turnovers.

The likes of exciting Havelock North outside backs Ryan Tongia and Mikey Vuicakau and Napier Old Boys Marist's winger-fullback Liam Edwards proved there will be plenty of speed available to Philpott and his assistant Danny Lee.

Returning Magpies utility back Matt Berquist was a late withdrawal from the trial with an injury. In-form Taradale No8 and a certainty for a starting berth in the Magpies loose trio come ITM Cup time, Mark Atkins, was also a late withdrawal, as his partner was about to have a baby.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay XV 29 (Isaac Paewai 2, Liam Edwards, Trinity Spooner-Neera, Mikey Vuicakau tries; Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald 2 cons), Saracens XV 12 (Sean Skeet, Noa Uaisele tries; Manihera Eden con).

Halftime: 12-7.