Rugby: Super wait continues for flanker

Trent Boswell-Wakefield will make his first Mitre 10 Cup appearance of the season tomorrow night. Photo / Warren Buckland

Equally as puzzling as the Magpies' poor start to the season has been the inability of loosie Trent Boswell-Wakefield to secure a Super contract in recent seasons.

"Close on a few occasions but no cigar. It's still a goal but, right now, I can only concentrate on the Magpies environment and playing the best I can for the team.

Whatever will happen with selections is going to happen," Boswell-Wakefield said.

The 2009 under-20 world champion will make his first Mitre 10 Cup appearance of the season in tomorrow night's third round Premiership clash against the Counties-Manukau Steelers at Napier's McLean Park.

It will be his first outing since leaving the field with a shoulder injury at halftime in the Magpies' 17-14 pre-season loss to North Harbour at Park Island on August 11.

"I had x-rays and scans and realised a combination of old injuries had built up," Boswell-Wakefield, 27, recalled.

"It has been hard watching so it's good to be back."

The veteran of 63 first-class games for the Magpies since his 2010 debut, Boswell-Wakefield, believed "only easy fixes" were required to propel the Magpies to their first win of the season.

"It's just a case of doing the little things right before, during and after trainings. If we can nail the small detail, it will be reflected in our performances on the field."

An account manager for Sharp Corporation New Zealand, Boswell-Wakefield has never been one to shy away from rugged physical confrontations and he is expecting plenty tomorrow night.

"The Steelers will arrive with plenty of big, strong, hard-running island boys. We've identified a few of them who use their size well and also have the ability to offload when you least expect it."

Boswell-Wakefield's inclusion ahead of Hurricanes squad member Hugh Renton at blindside flanker is one of four changes Magpies head coach Craig Philpott has made to his starting XV used in last weekend's 55-28 loss to Taranaki.

Hurricanes openside flanker Tony Lamborn, the Magpies 2015 player-of-the-year, is unavailable with illness and has been replaced by Ben Hamelink.

In the backline, Highlander Ryan Tongia switches from the right wing to fullback because Lewis Marshall is unavailable with concussion and Crusader Robbie Fruean will start in the No14 jersey.

Like Boswell-Wakefield, Fruean will be making his first appearance of the season at this level.

Changes to the subs bench see former All Black lock Ross Filipo replace Josh Eden-Whaitiri and Renton replace Hamelink. Should Filipo take the field, it will be his first-class debut for the Magpies.

The former Crusaders and Chiefs Super player has previously represented Marlborough and Wellington at NPC level.

Numerous niggly injuries forced the Steelers' camp to delay the naming of their side until later today. Regardless of who is named in the visitors' team, they will command the utmost respect.

Should two-test All Black halfback Augustine Pulu start, his clash with Brad Weber will be a cracker. Loosie Jordan Taufua and lock Jimmy Tupou can be devastating ball carriers if their space isn't restricted.

Both teams:

Hawke's Bay: Ryan Tongia, Robbie Fruean, Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, Mason Emerson, Ihaia West, Brad Weber, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Ben Hamelink, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Mark Abbott (vice-captain), Geoff Cridge, Ben May, Ash Dixon (captain), Ricky Riccitelli. Substitutes: Forwards, Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long, Tolu Fahamokioa, Ross Filipo, Hugh Renton. Backs, Ellery Wilson, Tiaan Falcon, Matt Garland.

Counties-Manukau: To be announced later today.