SHANE HURNDELL
It was one of the highlights of the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby side's win against Otago last week - lock Bryn Evans soaring high above the Otago jumpers and securing clean quick ball at lineout time.
Naturally Evans wants a repeat of that domination when the Kelt Capital Magpies take on Taranaki in a sixth round Air New Zealand Cup clash at Napier's McLean Park tonight.
The 2008 Blues Super 14 player knows Taranaki, with the Hurricanes locking duo of former All Black Jason Eaton and Craig Clarke, will have a "pretty strong lineout."
"Otago had a strong lineout too," he said.
It's no secret the Magpies' improved play at lineout time played a major part in their first taste of back-to-back Cup wins this season.
"Those last couple of weeks have been good ... there's been some consistency there," said Evans.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get our set pieces right and know we have to keep stepping up each week. If we can back up last week's lineout work and build on it against the Naki we'll be pretty happy."
It's also no secret Evans, 23, could secure another Super 14 contract if he continues to play like he has during the last couple of weeks. It wouldn't worry him if he returned to the Blues or got a Hurricanes berth. But he's not looking that far ahead.
"My main focus is helping the Magpies. If we can perform consistently as a team, Super selections will look after themselves later on."
It's no surprise Magpies coach Peter Russell has retained the same starting XV from last week for tonight. His only change to the subs bench was midfielder Dan Waenga returning from injury to replace Richard Buckman. Russell is happy with what his troops achieved in the buildup to tonight's game.
"There were a few aspects of the tackle ball area like ball presentation and options we had to tidy up and we've done that."
Like captain Danny Lee, Russell, has stressed the importance of the fourth placed Magpies redeeming themselves before their home crowd after their third round 20-16 loss to Southland.
Ninth placed Taranaki will be without winger Paul Perez who damaged an ankle in their 39-21 win against Northland last weekend. Perez has been replaced by Nathan Hohaia while Chris Walker takes over from Nemia Soqeta on the blindside flank.
* Magpies: Israel Dagg; Jason Kupa, Jason Shoemark, Zac Guildford; Sam Giddens, Matt Berquist; Danny Lee (captain); George Naoupu; Karl Lowe, Bryn Evans, Matt Egan, Michael Johnson; Anthony Perenise, Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo.
Substitutes: Forwards, Ash Dixon, Josh Keys, Johan Snyman, Adam Bradey; backs, Chris Eaton, Dan Waenga, Mark Jackman.
* Taranaki: Ace Malo; Nathan Hohaia, Jonathan Spratt, Shayne Austin; Jaydan Hayward, Willie Ripia; Brett Goodin; Taiasina Tuifua; Scott Waldrom, Craig Clarke, Jason Eaton, Chris Walker; Hamish Mitchell, Laurence Corlett, Tony Penn (captain).
Substitutes: Forwards, James Annabell, Shane Cleaver, Tom Ryder, Nemia Soqeta; backs, Brendan Haami, Corey Niwa, Jack Cameron.
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