Rugby: Will Taradale flanker's kilometres be rewarded?

Taradale Rugby and Sports flanker Nathan Tweedy is eyeing a spot in the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad. Photo / Paul Taylor

If kilometres clocked up during drives to training and matches counted Nathan Tweedy would be a certainty for Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team Mitre Cup selection in July.

Taradale Rugby and Sports openside flanker Tweedy, 21, was based in Palmerston North before settling in the Bay this week and during the first fortnight of his Hawke's Bay club rugby season travelled from Palmy for Taradale trainings and games as well as Magpies wider training group sessions.

"I've certainly clocked up the Ks. Now I'm based here in the Bay I've got more energy for games and trainings," Tweedy said before Taradale trained last night.

However, former Manawatu Development team and under-19 representative Tweedy knows those numerous trips over the Saddle will count for nothing come selection time. He has to deliver the goods in the Magpies' pre-season matches which begin with today's assignment against the Tasman Makos in Lower Hutt and for his club.

"I was told at the start of the season I wouldn't be required by the Turbos selectors and part of that was because I was injured towards the back end of last year. I heard there was an opening for a No 7 here in the Bay and because my business management studies in Palmy were almost finished I thought I would come over here and try my luck," Tweedy explained.

While in-form NOBM captain Chris Johnston will have the first 40 minutes today in the No 7 jersey today for what shapes up as the stronger Magpies XV Tweedy will have the second 40. His two games for Taradale to date have been in the 67-18 loss to NOBM and last weekend's 16-13 win against Havelock North.

"It is still the early stages of the club competition and teams are still finding their way with new combinations. But I've noticed the physicality levels here are a step up from Palmy. There are bigger bodies here and that may be because I played for Varsity in Palmy, a side which contained younger students."

Tweedy isn't counting his chickens as far as Mitre 10 Cup selection is concerned.

"I've had a good start to the club season. But I still have to put my hand up and take things week by week and control what I can control."

Magpies head coach Mark Ozich is happy with the depth of talent available for today's match considering 15 players are on his injury list and another four are unavailable. His 10 Super players are also unavailable.

Five players who played in the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV under Ozich in 2016 or last year, utility back Danny Toala, first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, halfback Folau Fakatava and props Aleki Vuki and Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, get an opportunity to prove whether or not they are ready for the next step.

"You are always sceptical including players in their first year out of school. It's a big step for me and for them. But it's good to see how they go against men in that space. Whatever happens as players they will learn from it."

Six players in the first-half team, winger Mason Emerson, halfback Ellery Wilson, flanker Fa'alemiga Selesele, lock Tom Parsons, hooker Jason Long and prop Mark Braidwood, have played first-class rugby for the Magpies. Only two players in the second-half team, lock Trent Boswell-Wakefield and flanker Ricky Hayes, have.

Five of the Tasman players, long-serving loosie Vernon Fredericks, halfback Ben Finau, first five Tim O'Malley, plus outside backs Tima Faingaanuku and Tomas Aoake, have appeared at first-class level for the Makos.

Teams:
Magpies 1st Half: JJ Taulagi, Michael Buckley, Sasa Tofilau, Danny Toala, Mason Emerson, Lincoln McClutchie, Ellery Wilson, Josh Kaifa, Chris Johnston, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Tom Parsons, Sam Ulufonua, Joe Apikotoa, Jason Long, Mark Braidwood. Sub: Sebastian Visinia.
Magpies 2nd Half: Johnny Ika, Will McGoon, Shae Tucker, Timo Vaiusu, Mitch Drew, Johnny Lauano, Folau Fakatava, TBC, Nathan Tweedy, Ricky Hayes, Matt Gardner, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, Frank Tupuola, Aleki Vuki. Sub: Jack Nelson-Murray.
Tasman Makos: Tima Faingaanuku, Rupena Parkinson, Nick Foxley, Mike Vaeno, Tomas Aoake, Willy Havili, Ben Finau, Isaiah Miller, Anty Burnett, Vernon Fredericks, Caleb Havili, Mike Curry, Blair Prinsep, Brendan Asomua-Goodman, Kershawl Sykes-Martin. Subs: Sam Moli, Ryan Coxon, George Tuineau, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Jacob Norris, Hugo Nankivell, Jack Grooby, Tim O'Malley, James Hawkey, Caleb Coventry.
Injured Magpies: Hayden Hann, Zac Donaldson, Tianua Poto, Lester Maulolo, Lucas Goodin, Tim Farrell, Jacob Devery, Tom Iosefo, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Ausage Fomai, Pasqualle Dunn, Tamati Samuels, Ryan Tongia, Lui Luamanu, Hannon Brighouse.
Unavailable Magpies: Ben Hamelink (exams), Devan Flanders and Will Tremain (NZ U20s), Pouri Rakete-Stones (NZ Universities).