Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's co-coaches Peter Russell and Tom Coventry will have plenty of motivational ammunition to assist their pre-match team talk before Sunday's match against North Harbour in Napier.
It's no secret the 12th-round ITM Cup clash will be captain and centre Jason Shoemark's final home game on McLean Park before starting a two-year contract in the United Kingdom with Exeter. It's also no secret it will be Magpies utility back and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Zac Guildford's 50th outing for the side.
What has been kept quiet is the fact it will also be the final home game for prop Clint "Crita" Newland before travelling to Ireland to play for Leinster in the Heineken Cup.
Like many frontrowers, Newland, a 1999 New Zealand under-19 world champion, has never been one to hog the limelight.
"I'm not getting any younger and I thought now would be a good time to head over to the United Kingdom and have a squiz around before I get too old to play," Newland, 30, told SportToday before yesterday's training.
"At this stage, the plan is to complete the Heineken Cup season with Leinster and then see what happens after that ... France is a possibility," said Newland.
The former New Zealand Maori representative and Highlanders Super 14 player is keen to help the Magpies remain in top-seven contention with a bonus-point victory on Sunday. What about a try similar to the one he scored against Waikato, which was followed by his Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports Club hand signal?
"Here's hoping," replied Newland, who is relishing being injury-free after being nagged by shoulder and back injuries earlier in the season.
"That's why I'm keen to get time off the bench. As a team, we're only starting to hit our straps. I know it's a wee bit late ... but, hopefully, not late enough," he said.
Russell and Coventry have made one change to the starting XV which beat Northland last week. Guildford replaces Mark Jackman at fullback and the only change on the subs bench sees Jackman replace Star Timu.
These are the fewest changes made to the team all season. Russell pointed out that wet weather aside, the Magpies' training had gone well.
Be among the first 3000 spectators through the gate on Sunday and you will score a mask face replica of one of three Magpies - captain and centre Jason Shoemark, prop Newland or fellow centurion, loosie Michael Johnson.
A total of 1000 masks of each of the trio will be handed out. Shoemark, who has captained the Magpies for two seasons, will be playing his 53rd match for the side, while Johnson will be playing his 136th and Newland his 105th.
In addition to the masks, spectators will also be able to score half-price KooGa clothing and apparel. This promotion is only for Sunday and only available at McLean Park.
Although the Magpies' clash with North Harbour kicks off at 4.35pm, gates open at 2.15pm. A 3pm curtainraiser will feature the Hawke's Bay Ross Shield side against their Bay of Plenty counterparts, followed by the grand final of the Hawk Packaging Rippa Rugby competition between Parkvale School and Onekawa Primary.
Bay lose long time pillar Newland
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