Rugby: Taine tips Magpies to rough up Razorbacks

Taine Randall

Wind the clock back to the Hawke's Bay Magpies' Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago in Dunedin last year.

Former All Blacks' captain and Hawke's Bay Rugby Union board member Taine Randell wore his Otago cap with his Hawke's Bay blazer to Forsyth Barr Stadium. While he copped some flak from staunch Magpies supporters it was understandable as the 61-game All Black played 83 games for Otago, many of them as captain, and 77 games for the Dunedin-based Super Rugby franchise, the Highlanders, seven of his eight years with the franchise as captain.

It will be a different story at McLean Park tomorrow. Randell, 39, will be wearing his Hawke's Bay No 1s including a tie, which he seldom wears. It will be a reflection of his prediction for the match.

Last year he had a foot in both camps and predicted an 18-15 either way score for the clash which the Magpies won 20-19 to bring the shield back to the Bay for the first time in 44 years. Randell has predicted a 28-13 win to the Magpies tomorrow.

"We've got a stronger team than last year. Otago aren't as strong and we're at McLean Park," Randell said.

"The Magpies are chasing a really good performance. They have yet to produce a performance they are completely happy with and I believe if we can get past this defence we will still have the shield next year."

Randell pointed out Magpies fans have yet to see the best of centre Robbie Fruean.

"Robbie is a game breaker who can do things in high profile games nobody else can do. He is a world class player who just needs more time to get used to those around him as they do to get used to him."

He believed Otago's buildup, which included two games during the last eight days, hasn't been ideal. However Randell reckoned his former Otago and All Blacks teammate Tony Brown, the Razorbacks' head coach, was a coach on the rise and this factor will help compensate for that buildup.

Despite his lengthy service with Otago, Randell, was only involved in three Ranfurly Shield challenges. He was a non-playing substitute in a 28-11 loss to Waikato in Hamilton in 1993 and again in a 1994 22-20 loss to Canterbury in Christchurch.

The only challenge Randell played in was a 29-26 loss to Canterbury in Christchurch 14 years ago.