Rugby: Surprise Magpies training spot

Manihera Eden

AS THE Taradale premier rugby side's first five-eighth Manihera Eden knows the importance of precise timing is everything.

And it's the timing of a visit to the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union headquarters at Napier's McLean Park which has commanded a fair amount of cheering from Eden, 20, during the past week.

"I went into the union to catch up with Osh [Magpies analyst and kicking coach Peter O'Shaughnessy]. I wanted to jack up some tactical kicking and goalkicking training sessions and, while I was there, Danny [Magpies assistant coach Danny Lee] came up and told me there was a spot in the Magpies wider training group if I wanted it," Eden said.

"I was quick to accept. It's a great opportunity to learn off the best.

"With that call-up and our Taradale team unbeaten after six rounds in the Nash Cup, this year has been one of the highlights of my rugby career."

A feature of Carters Frame and Truss Taradale's unbeaten run has been Eden, a third year premier player, handling the switch from fullback to first five-eighth with aplomb.

"Playing outside Chris Eaton has been a big plus. I haven't played first five-eighth since my ninth and 10th grade days but I've enjoyed the switch and taking on more of a decision-maker role. While fullback is more my position I'm also learning the halfback role from Chris and our other halfback Karl Hewitt. I'm hoping that versatility will help me make the Magpies ITM Cup squad later in the year."

A former Hawke's Bay Sevens and under-20s rep who made the New Zealand under-17 training squad when at Napier Boys' High School, Eden, described his two training sessions with the wider training group to date as "massive".

"You've got more experienced players there who are still trying to make Super Rugby and they have so much to pass on."

Eden knows quality performances against Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical at Taradale today and Napier Old Boys Marist at Park Island next week, both last season's Maddison Trophy finalists, will enhance his chances of Magpies selection.

"I'm confident we can win the Nash Cup but, at the same time, I know how good those teams are. Those games will provide ideal opportunities for me to try some of the new skills I've learned at wider training group sessions," he added.

Eden and teammate, No 8 Kaleb Sweet, and Napier Old Boys Marist prop Jarvy Aoake are the latest additions to the Magpies wider training group. Magpies head coach Craig Philpott said the trio had been rewarded for some outstanding club form.

Philpott has lost Hastings Rugby and Sports second five-eighth Neria Fomai for the season. Fomai broke an arm in his side's draw with Havelock North last weekend.

Fomai's clubmate and lock Tom Parsons will be out for eight to 12 weeks after collecting a hand break in the same game. The form lock of the club competition, Parsons, is on top of the leaderboard in the province's club MVP and the five-game Magpie will return to club play in time to be considered for ITM Cup squad selection.

A Magpies trial will be played in Waipukurau on July 16. Members of the wider training group may get a crack at the Hurricanes in Palmerston North on June 18.

Philpott said planning was under way for the fixture which would involve the Hurricanes, Manawatu, Wellington and Hawke's Bay.

While it will give the ITM Cup provinces extended squad players an opportunity to impress it will also give the Hurricanes valuable game time during the June test window. Confirmed Magpies pre-season outings are a July 26 game against Taranaki in Stratford, a July 31 game against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua and an August 9 match against Waikato to be played as the curtainraiser to the Maddison Trophy final at Napier's McLean Park.

The Bay of Plenty fixture will follow the Magpies pre-season camp in Rotorua.

Other seventh round Tui Nash Cup fixtures today will see Aoake's Hawke's Bay Insurances Ltd Napier Old Boys Marist host Tamatea at Park Island, IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports host Clive at Elwood Park, MAC host Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Flaxmere Park and Northfuels Central host Progressive Meats Havelock North at Waipukurau's Central Park.