SHANE HURNDELL
Even before the Hawke's Bay Magpies take the field against Poverty Bay in Gisborne this afternoon they will have achieved a commendable first.
For the first time in the Kelt Capital Magpies Air New Zealand NPC history all 30 players in the squad will have travelled out of Hawke's Bay
for an away game. With Hawke's Bay B having a bye this weekend Magpies coach Brendon Ratcliffe has allowed the eight players who didn't make the playing 22 to travel north in a minivan to support the team.
"It shows the camaraderie within our squad when those eight players want to do that. Their vocal support will come in handy and it's up to those taking the field to turn it on for them," Ratcliffe said.
Knowing the crafty Ratcliffe he will no doubt use their presence as a motivational tool for his playing 22 if things don't go to plan. Picture this: The Magpies have another shocking first half like they did against Marlborough a fortnight ago.
At halftime Ratcliffe will walk out to his troops and point out to them their eight fellow squad members among the spectators and say something like this:
"Keep playing like that and those blokes will be in your spots next week."
You're right it shouldn't happen. But good coaches, like Ratcliffe, have a plan B or even a C ready if A doesn't work.
Last year's division three champions Poverty Bay have done well to beat the likes of Manawatu, Wanganui and East Coast. Their coach Kiwi Searancke also did well in securing the services of former Manu Samoa World Cup first five-eighth Earl Va'a three rounds back.
But this afternoon Searancke's troops should realise Hawke's Bay are in a different class to the likes of Manawatu, East Coast and Wanganui. Va'a should also be given little freedom and he should realise that Magpies openside flanker, New Zealand Sevens star Tafai Ioasa, is far superior to any other No.7 he has faced in the competition to date.
In other words if the Magpies can keep a quality side like North Otago tryless on their turf they should be able to do the same to Poverty Bay.
Along with Va'a, captain and second five-eighth Mark Jefferson, is a handy player in the hosts backline but it will be a major surprise if Poverty Bay upset the applecart.
