RUGBY: Magpies' new signing can make difference

SHANE HURNDELL
New signing George Naoupu is one of "three or four difference makers" Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby coach Brendon Ratcliffe is targeting for next year.
"There will be minimal change for 2007 and that reflects how well we think our squad grew this year ... we'll be backing them again next year," Ratcliffe said after Naoupu's two-season signing was announced yesterday.
"Go back to our last great Ranfurly Shield era in the late 1960s. High-calibre players like Kel Tremain and Ian MacRae came in and inspired the existing players ... that's the sort of thing we want to happen," said Ratcliffe.
He was thrilled to secure the services of the versatile Naoupu. This season's Tasman Makos MVP can play lock, blindside flanker or his preferred position of No.8 which he played in the later stages of the Air New Zealand Cup season when he produced a man-of-the-match performance in a 56-15 thrashing of Northland.
A former New Zealand Sevens representative, Naoupu, 23, played 11 matches for Canterbury including seven last year before joining the new Tasman side as a loan player this season. The 1.96m tall Naoupu weighs in at 108kg and is a former New Zealand Colts, New Zealand Secondary Schools and New Zealand under-19 rep.
Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union CEO Mike Bishop said Naoupu will arrive in the Bay before Christmas and he has yet to be allocated a club.
"We are delighted a player of George's all round quality sees the Kelt Capital Magpies as an option to further his career at the Air New Zealand Cup level," Bishop said. "George has enjoyed an outstanding season. He has excellent aerial skills and is a punishing ball runner. His versatility in covering blindside flanker, No.8 and lock will be of significant benefit to us over the next couple of seasons," he said.
"George's ability to cover several positions will also, no doubt, attract the attention of the Hurricanes selectors, who I'm sure will welcome such talent to the franchise," Bishop added.