AERIAL MASTER: Matt Garland will be one of three players on double duty today. PHOTO/Duncan Brown
DON'T be surprised if Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports utility back Matt Garland is among the newbies when the Hawke's Bay Magpies team is announced on August 16.
His aerial skills are among the best in the Bay. Garland, 24, can play fullback, wing or centre and will bring much needed height and size to the outside backs.
However, the former Queensland age-group rep, who is in his second season with Maddison Trophy holders Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sport, knows a Mitre 10 Cup squad berth isn't a done deal yet.
"I need a big game for the Saracens against Manawatu Evergreens," Garland said as he pondered today's McLean Park pre-season encounter. He will play the first 40 minutes on the wing before travelling to Carters Arms Park to play centre in his club team's semifinal against Taradale.
"There's at least one midfield berth available in the Magpies and focusing on the switch from wing to centre is my big work-on.
"Different lines are required but everything else stays the same," Garland said.
While the concreter is confident about his chances of getting the nod in a fortnight, he is equally optimistic about his ability to switch from rep to club mode today.
"I just have to keep the intensity up from the first game. I'll keep my boots on and then I will have just have to change the shorts and jersey."
"I know Taradale will be hard at home. But the Pirate boys have trained well this week and we should do well," he added.
Pirates manager Charles Reid said if his troops can control their discipline and maintain their composure they should record the third win of the season against Taradale.
"We must be wise with our share of the ball and front up on defence," he added.
Taradale head coach Jason Shoemark said things have worked out well for his team with key players returning from injury. With the club's premier reserve grade team and colts side also playing home semifinals, they won't be short of home crowd support. The fact it's promising No8 Jacob Baker's 21st weekend means there will be more Taradale supporters than normal too.
"At the same time we haven't beaten Pirates this season and we're going to to have to play pretty good rugby to beat them," Shoemark said.
Like their visitors, Taradale, haven't been hampered too much by rep commitments. Fullback Dan McIntyre, who has scored 19 tries in club play this season, must be considered unlucky not to have made the Saracens squad for today and Shoemark said his opportunity will come in the next season or two.
Former Magpies loosie Kaleb Sweet has been bracketed with Jordan Kupa on Shoemark's subs bench in the wake of a hamstring strain but is expected to pull on the No18 jersey. Pirate winger Matt Murtha has been bracketed with Naua Auisele but is likely to start.
Title favourites HBI Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist will host Progressive Meats Havelock North in the other semifinal at Park Island. NOBM head coach Craig Gowler said his troops have plenty of respect for the villagers "who know how to play finals footy".
"We've got the Challenge Shield and the Nash Cup but this is semifinal time and we all start level again. Nothing changes with us - we are still going to play our fast open style."
Gowler also gave Magpies head coach Craig Philpott the thumbs up for allowing him to have the services of prop Jarvy Aoake and Havelock to have first five-eighth Dan Snee. While Gowler will start Aoake, Havelock head coach Murdoch Paewai will use Snee off the bench.
"I wanted Dan to focus on his 40 minutes with the Magpies first. I want him to do justice to the Magpies jersey and push his case for a Mitre 10 Cup squad berth and then he will have more time to change his focus to us.
"We are the only team to have beaten NOBM this year and we have improved in recent weeks. If we can keep improving we will challenge NOBM this weekend but at the same time we know we're the underdogs and NOBM are the favourites to take the whole thing out," Paewai added.
Both games have the potential to be tight affairs. Should Garland arrive at Taradale injury-free after his McLean Park assignment his team should win by three and NOBM should win by nine.
TEAMS
Napier Old Boys Marist: David Benson, Mark Collier, Migao Lauano, Sam Giddens, Liam Edwards, Johnny Lauano, Boris Bouhraoua, Joseph Penitito, Chris Johnston, Willy Benson, Tom Bywater, Sean Skeet (captain), Jarvy Aoake, Logan Ede, Mike King.
Substitutes, forwards: Terry Marsh, Eugene Gerrard, Hannon Brighouse, Jack Nelson-Murray. Backs: Sami Lauano, Jack Lee, Eddie Stevens.
Havelock North: Adam Bradey, Ethan Prichard, Jesse Paewai, Kalin Paewai, Mikey Vuicakau, Ethan Bradey, Issac Paewai (captain), Luke Ottley, Liam Murphy, Sam Lamborn, Bronson Primmer, Phil McRoberts, Emmanuel Maui, Matt Phillips, Semisi Tonga'ofa.
Substitutes, forwards: Sam Matson, Adam Jowsey, Masi Epui, Zane Maney. Backs: Taylar Greville, Dan Snee, Brendan Solomon.
Taradale: Dan McIntyre, Wade Woolly, Josh Mahoni, Uta Tupuola, Nick Martin, Gregor McNeish, Karl Hewitt, Jacob Baker, Kaleb Whakataka, Andrew Gardner (captain), Angelo Mufana, Reon Watts, Joe Simeon, Jack Byrne, Reese Aranui.
Substitutes, forwards: Ellery Tareha, Mike McLachlan, Kaleb Sweet/Jordan Kupa, Sisa Vosaki. Backs: Thomas Eden, Jobey Pomare, Wayne Collins.
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports: Jarrod McCarthy, Tione Hubbard, Matt Garland, Hayden Hann, Matt Murtha/Naua Auisele, David Neilson, Liam Batt, Aaron McPhee, Pouvi Fatialofa, Hamish Willis, Mike Albert, Marcus Donovan, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Gerome Naera, Conrad Reiter.
Substitutes, forwards: Kelsey Miller, Sean Morrison, Matt Brown, Jordan Meehan. Backs: Ted Symes, Kane Nepe-Apatu, Matt Murtha/Naua Auisele.