Magpies fans have plenty of Super reasons to smile

Any reservations about Robbie Fruean's All Black credentials were settled surely by his commitment on defence in overhauling Adam Ashley-Cooper.A PERSON based in Auckland might be excused for wondering how rugby fans in provincial areas like Hawke's Bay can have much emotional involvement with what is supposed to be their home franchise.
A scouring of recent almanacs suggests the last time the Hurricanes played a Super match in Napier was against the Bulls in 2003. Intrigue as to how a Bay-ite can be passionate about the Hurricanes was increased by Saturday night's match against the Chiefs in surprise, surprise, Wellington.
There were four of last year's Magpies playing. Chris Eaton and Daniel Kirkpatrick, with the Hurrianes and Sona Taumalolo and Hika Elliot with the Chiefs.
Indeed, the Bay has almost as many Bay links with the Crusaders. Israel Dagg, one of a backline which began to look ominous in their Friday night demolition of the Brumbies, and the injured Zac Guildford are now in Canterbury, as is former Magpie Matt Berquist.
It has been caused by necessity, of course, but the Crusaders' success in staging two games in Nelson has shown all New Zealand's franchises might benefit by being more regional in practice as well as theory. Clearly the Highlanders' revival owes much to Southland's contribution.
But if their loyalties were scattered, Magpies supporters could feel reasonably happy at the weekend with their Super professionals. Dagg, for instance, deftly picked up the last of the Crusaders' six tries, while Elliot, having had a slow start to the competition and yet to wear the Chiefs' No2 jersey, must still be pressing to be one of the hookers in the World Cup squad.
Elliot, normally accurate, was twice judged to have thrown to line-outs incorrectly and once was penalised, even if this was one of many puzzling refereeing calls marring both the weekend's games in New Zealand.
After the high of the previous round, when New Zealand franchises gained a 100per cent record, there was a slump last weekend. The Highlanders lost their unbeaten record, the Hurricanes, after such a long layoff, were scratchy in just beating the Chiefs and the Blues, as well as losing Ali Williams to injury, had a lucky draw in Perth.
Only the Crusaders were on song, but only in the second spell. And it wasn't one of their attacking plays which offered a pointer to the All Blacks' composition later this year. Any reservations about Robbie Fruean's All Black credentials were settled surely by his marvellous commitment on defence in overhauling Adam Ashley-Cooper.
A final thought: UK types, led by a scribbler Peter Bills, are pushing for the removal of Christchurch as a World Cup venue. That in time may become inevitable. But it might be recalled that the UK media wanted Japan, not New Zealand, to host this year's World Cup. And is there now concern that in 2019 the World Cup, indeed, has been allocated to a country even more devastatingly quake-prone than New Zealand?