RUGBY: Magpies add wing to make up roster

The Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby side's roster is complete with the arrival of former Toulon wing Sinoti Sinoti.
SportToday was surprised to see his name on the team list for yesterday's pre-season clash with the Manawatu Turbos at Palmerston North's FMG Stadium. However we worked out he was the bloke who is filling the berth left vacant when the squad was announced on Monday.
In addition to the squad being complete the Magpies proved during their 17-3 win, their defence was ready for next Friday night's ITM Cup opener against Canterbury in Christchurch. However, there is still plenty of work required in the attack department and this will be a priority before the team travels south next week.
Sinoti, 24, hooked up with the Magpies when they started their three day camp in Palmerston North on Wednesday.
He had played two club games with the Norths club in Wellington before heading north.
``I didn't have the best of starts when I knocked the ball on with my first touch of the ball,'' said Sinoti who was a second half replacement.
``I made up for it with the second,'' he said referring to his 74th minute try _ the only second half score in an often dour tussle.
``The camp was great. The older Hawke's Bay players helped me get acquainted with the Hawke's Bay systems ... it's a privilege to be playing for the team alongside experienced players like Zac [Guildford] and Izzy [Dagg],'' added Sinoti.
Needless to say it will be more of a privilege if the Magpies can give Sinoti more opportunities to attack.
Because like the likes of Guildford, Dagg and fellow winger Gillies Kaka he has the goods to dazzle opposing Cup outfits.
Magpies co-coach Peter Russell agreed the game was hard to watch.
``We had no momentum.
``It was a stop-start game and both teams weren't sure what a lot of the penalties were for,'' said Russell referring to the fact Taranaki referee Richard Kelly awarded the Turbos 15 penalties _ seven more than the Bay side got.
``Like our defence our set piece play was strong ... we just didn't respect the ball enough when we needed to,'' added Russell.
The Magpies produced an outstanding period of defence during a 10 minute period late in the first half when they were down to 14 men after prop Kaas Lealamanua was sinbinned
The visitors opened the scoring in the seventh minute when centre Richard Buckman completed an attacking movement from New Zealand Maori openside flanker Karl Lowe who was classy in all aspects of play.
Fellow loosies Michael Johnson and Mike Coman also impressed.
Nine minutes later first five-eighth Andrew Horrell scored after some clever buildup work from halfback Kahn Fotuali'i. Horrell kicked the handy conversion.
The Turbos only scoring was an 18th minute penalty from first five-eighth Isaac Thompson.
Scorers:
Hawke's Bay 17(Richard Buckman, Andrew Horrell, Sinoti Sinoti tries; Horrell con), Manawatu 3 (Isaac Thompson pen). HT: 12-3.