Rugby: Tongia set to earn stripes for Magpies

TALK ABOUT life after rugby with Hawke's Bay Magpies winger Ryan Tongia and he mentions property development and a pilot as possible career options.

One of the musts for both of these professions is a blazer.

Tongia needs to complete 25 minutes in Sunday's Ranfurly Shield defence and ITM Cup opener against Northland at Napier's McLean Park and he will receive his Magpies blazer, which is awarded to players who chalk up 1000 minutes.

"No other teams I've been involved with have blazers so this is going to be a special occasion," said the Brisbane-born Tongia, who has played four tests for the Papua New Guinea Kumuls rugby league side.

"The fact it's a shield game against Northland makes it extra special. Northland are a side you can't take lightly ... They showed us that last year," Highlander Tongia said referring to the Magpies 23-21 loss to the Taniwha outfit in Whangarei in September and a 26-21 Magpies victory in their Napier-hosted October Championship semifinal.

"Hopefully they don't get things going straight away on Sunday," Tongia said.

The top try scorer in last year's ITM Cup with 10, Tongia, 25, is likely to mark Crusader Jone Macilai on Sunday.

"We both had setbacks with injuries during the Super season so we will both have points to prove. My goal is to have a big ITM Cup this season with the aim of earning more minutes when I return to the Highlanders next year."

If the former Gold Coast Titans Toyota Cup and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats European Super League rugby player can reproduce his try-scoring exploits from last season he should be able to tick off his goal.

"A top team performance is the No1 priority. If we can get the result we are after it will make earning the blazer all worthwhile," Tongia added.

Magpies head coach Craig Philpott's reluctance to have his lineup published today was a sign of his respect for Sunday's visitors. However, he confirmed rapid improver Jarvy Aoake had earned the tighthead prop berth.

"Jarvy has been rewarded for consistent performances. He has been playing well including against Taranaki's highly respected front row last weekend," Philpott said.

"When Jarvy made our ITM Cup squad he told me his main goal was not to make too many mistakes. I told him he should be aiming to dominate opposition. He is as strong in testing as Super Rugby props. He is powerful with a good skill set, and has leadership experience.

"Quality tighthead props at Super level are few and far between ... Super Rugby is what Jarvy should be aiming for," Philpott added.

Tongia's likely second five-eighth for Sunday, Andrew Horrell, is the latest player to recommit to the Chiefs for next season. Horrell, 27, has played 49 matches during his four seasons with the Chiefs and has played four different positions.

Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie said, "In a world of massive midfielders, Hozza is a point of difference. With an intelligent footy brain and quality skill set, his ability to create opportunities for others is first class. Hozza's experience and versatility make him a huge asset to this club."

Horrell and Magpies lock Michael Allardice join former Magpies Hika Elliot and Brodie Retallick on the Chiefs roster and Hawke's Bay's Dominic Bird and Brad Weber.

Outstanding Highlanders flanker Dan Pryor will be missing from the Taniwha side as he recovers from injury, but his younger brother, Kara, who is almost as good, is expected to be in the No7 jersey.

Blues hooker Matt Moulds will captain the visitors.

It's crucial the Magpies start well.

If they can start in the manner they played for the final 35 minutes against Taranaki they should retain the shield. Northland can be a tough side to beat if they build an early lead.