Rugby: Wilson spies half chance

Ellery Wilson, Magpies halfback, is escorted by Alexia Kettle during a taste of modelling last week. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Hawke's Bay Magpies halfback Ellery Wilson could have been excused if he altered his post-rugby career plans this week.

Such was the success Wilson, who is eyeing a career as a sports coach when he eventually steps down from the playing ranks, and several of his teammates experienced when they took to the catwalk as models during the Red Cross Runway Show at the Havelock North Function Centre last week.

"I enjoyed it but I will leave the long-term modelling option to Ryan," Wilson said referring to Magpies winger Ryan Tongia who was the biggest hit with female fans at the event.

The 2013 Canterbury B player-of-the-year, Wilson, 24, secured a more important date to focus on this week. He will be one of three Magpies to make their first ITM Cup starting XV appearances when the Ranfurly Shield holders take on North Harbour at Albany's QBE Stadium tomorrow night.

Although Wilson arrived in the Bay this year with the aim of securing more ITM Cup game time than he was getting as the third-ranked No9 in Canterbury, he isn't concerned it has taken seven rounds to score a run-on start.

"Chris [Eaton, the Magpies' first-string No9] has been going so well. I've just been concentrating on bringing impact when I come off the bench with my core roles and keeping the momentum going."

He pointed out the majority of the Magpies were at a barbecue together on Wednesday night when they watched North Harbour produce the upset of the season with their 29-24 victory against previously unbeaten Premiership leaders Canterbury.

"Harbour are definitely dangerous if they get half the chance. It's important we keep them down their end of the field and make them run 100 metres if they want to score tries," Wilson said.

A flatmate of fellow Magpies, lock Michael Allardice, flanker Tom Stanley and first five-eighth Tyrone Elkington-McDonald, Wilson was quizzed regularly about the ta moko on his chest after his modelling stint. He said it tells the story of his father's Levin-based family.

Stanley and second five-eighth Billy Ropiha are the others who will be in an ITM Cup starting XV for the first time this season in the wake of seven changes made by head coach Craig Philpott and his assistant Danny Lee. Adrian Barone replaces Brendon Edmonds at loosehead prop, Ged Robinson replaces Ash Dixon at hooker, Tom Parsons replaces Allardice, Tony Lamborn replaces Trent Boswell-Wakefield on the blindside flank, Stanley replaces Lamborn on the openside, Wilson replaces Eaton and Ropiha replaces Jason Shoemark.

With vice-captain Dixon out of action with a toe injury and captain Brendon O'Connor still experiencing headaches from his concussion collected against Otago, Robinson will captain the side and his 2014 Highlanders' teammate Richard Buckman will be the vice-captain.

"We considered Mark Abbott for captain but we're looking at rotating our locks a lot during the next three games and if everything goes to plan against Harbour Mark may only be on the field for the first half," Philpott said.

Unavailable with injuries are Dixon (toe), Boswell-Wakefield (ankle), Shoemark (rib), O'Connor (concussion), Andrew Horrell (hip) and winger Penikolo Latu, who was ruled out of the season with his broken leg collected in the Magpies trial.

Match details

*When: Tomorrow, 7.35pm.
*Where: QBE Stadium, Albany.
*Head to head: Played: 13, 1986-2013 Hawke's Bay wins: 5 North Harbour wins: 7 Draws: 1
*Last match: HB 55 Harbour 10, 29.09.13 in Napier (ITMC).
*Last North Harbour win: HB 28 Harbour 28, 27.06.01 in Napier (NPC).
*Biggest HB score: 55 (55-10), 29.09.13 in Napier (ITMC).
*Biggest Harbour score: 48 (48-17), 13.09.92 in Takapuna (NPC).
*Biggest differential: HB by 45 (55-10), 29.09.13 in Napier (ITMC).
*North Harbour: Named today.
*Hawke's Bay: Richard Buckman (vc), Ryan Tongia, Robbie Fruean, Billy Ropiha, Shannan Chase, Ihaia West, Ellery Wilson, Gareth Evans, Tom Stanley, Tony Lamborn, Mark Abbott, Tom Parsons, Jason Marshall, Ged Robinson (c), Adrian Barone.
*Substitutes, forwards: Tivaini Fomai, Brendon Edmonds, Michael Allardice, Mark Atkins. Backs: Chris Eaton, Mikey Vuicakau, Matt Berquist.