TOP STORY: Mighty Magpies side launched

Shane Hurndell It had glitz and glamour never seen before at a Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team launch and old-timer Peter Loomes was buzzing.
"I've been following Hawke's Bay rugby since 1960 and this is definitely the best launch," Loomes, 72, said after the Kelt Capital Magpies Air New Zealand Cup premier division campaign was launched in front of 350 guests in Napier's Centennial Hall last night.
"I've never been a fan of dancers before but they will definitely have a part to play this year," he said with a twinkle in his eye, as he watched the debut of the Electrotech Dancers who will be part of the home-game entertainment at Napier's McLean Park this season.
Loomes was a successful Hawke's Bay age-group selector from 1980-90. Former All Blacks Taine Randell, one of last night's speakers, and Josh Kronfeld played under him.
Others to play in his age-group teams included Magpies coach Brendon Ratcliffe, assistant coach George Konia and trainer Grant Dearns.
"It's great to see these blokes putting something back into the game in the Bay," said Loomes, who is one of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union volunteers involved with the running of club and representative match days.
"To hear Brendon speak about the passion he and his team have for the Magpies jersey just amazed me.
"I'm proud of them all and I can see a good season ahead if everyone gets behind the team," he added.
Randell, a product of Lindisfarne College, which also produced last night's bolter in the team - 18-year-old fullback Israel Dagg, emphasised how tough the step-up was going to be for the Magpies.
"There's a lot of preparation, studying and analysing in the game at this level. You finish it at the end of one week and then it starts again the next," he said.
"I'm picking the experience should come through and the Magpies could be title contenders by 2010," Randell added.
That same date was also mentioned by Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union CEO Mike Bishop. However, chairman Richard Hunt said he wasn't prepared to wait that long and wants the Magpies to make immediate impact in the big time.
"If that's what Hunty wants, we'll re-set our goals," Ratcliffe quipped.
Ratcliffe is rapt with the mix of youth and experience in his squad, with 10 of the 30 players under 23. Seventeen of the squad played for the Magpies last year.
He will wait until the end of July before naming his captain for the season.
In addition to the naming of the squad, the debut of the dancers and the unveiling of the new playing strip an auction of signed, framed Magpies shirts identical to the ones the Magpies will wear, along with some of the Bay's best wines, was another feature attraction last night.
It raised $23,890, which will be spent on the development of Hawke's Bay rugby. One jersey sold for $1600 and a selection of wines went for $2000.
The Magpies will play pre-season games against Taranaki at McLean Park on July 7, Manawatu at McLean Park on July 14 and Bay of Plenty in Mount Maunganui on July 21, before opening their premier division campaign against Canterbury at McLean Park on July 28.
The team is: Josh Manyard, David Briggs, Hikawera Elliot, Danny Logan, Christian Pera, Tom Symes, Faka a nalua Taumalolo, Lua Lokotui, Bryn Evans, Will Crutchley, Michael Johnson, Luke Ottley, Nui Bartlett, Tafai Ioasa, Mutu Ngarimu, Wirihana Raihana, Pene Tokacece, Danny Lee, Chad Shepherd, Matt Berquist, Aayden Clarke, Lote Raikabula, Jacob Kennedy, Davis Norman, Joe Wright, Nathan Mauger, Ben Allen, Ryan Glover, Donovan Nepia, Israel Dagg.