Magpies prop Sona Taumalolo became a staunch fan favourite during his first stint for the province between 2005 and 2011. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay Magpies coach Mark Ozich is fielding a vastly different lineup against North Harbour in order to give more players the chance to push for selection going forward.
Eight of the 23 players who won the Ranfurly Shield in Dunedin won't travel up to Albany for the match at QBE Stadium, which kicks off at 2.05pm on Saturday.
And of those that started last time out, just three players (blindside flanker Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, openside flanker Brendon O'Connor and fullback Kurt Baker) retain their places in the starting 15.
"We always had it in our mind to give guys opportunities in this round," Ozich said, acknowledging the concern that making so many changes could disrupt the squad's momentum.
He said that possibility had to be balanced against the need to spread minutes around.
"We could roll on, play the same guys, and then the guys that don't get an opportunity get disillusioned. It's always the way when you're dealing with human beings, managing expectations and trying to be successful."
The wholesale changes see hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes captain the side in the absence of Ash Dixon, with prop Sona Taumalolo and lock Bryn Evans
having returned for this season and picked to play.
Kereru-Symes will captain Hawke's Bay for the first time at Mitre 10 Cup level, and Ozich said he has good leaders around him in prop Jason Long and loose forwards Brendon O'Connor and Gareth Evans.
"It's all about giving him that chance to grow and develop in that space, because Ash [Dixon, the usual captain] is not going to be around forever."
Halfback Connor McLeod and first five Caleb Makene will run a new-look backline, having swapped places with substitutes Folau Fakatava and Lincoln McClutchie.
Winger Neria Fomai will see his first action of the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season, as will centre Sam McNicol who returns from a lengthy injury layoff.
The 25-year-old Chiefs man will take the field in Hawke's Bay colours for the first time since the first game of the 2019 season.
"He's had his fair share of setbacks over the years, and North Harbour provides him an opportunity to show what he can do as well," Ozich said.
Outside back Anzelo Tuitavuki will make his debut for the Magpies if he comes off the bench, and his coach is very interested in seeing how he goes at the next level.
"He's a dynamic, explosive outside back, a power winger with great feet and skill," Ozich said.
Both teams come into the game on a high after Hawke's Bay won the Ranfurly Shield and North Harbour defeated Premiership favourites Tasman 40-24 in Week Four.
Mark Ozich is expecting them to stick to a similar gameplan this week against Hawke's Bay.
"There'll be a fair bit of kicking from [first five] Bryn Gatland and [fullback] Shaun Stevenson," he said, noting Harbour are a strong scrummaging team with a good loose forward trio.
"We certainly would go in as the underdogs, given the amount of changes that we've made."
Midfielder Antonio Mikaele Tu'u (twin brother of Magpie flanker Marino) made his debut for Harbour in that match, having joined them for the season on loan from Hawke's Bay.
Impressive as the win was it was only North Harbour's first of the season, and they sit bottom of the Premiership table having picked up just six competition points so far.
Hawke's Bay lead the second-tier Championship standings after four games, with their tally of 15 points, one better than second-placed Northland, who will visit McLean Park in Week Six for a shot at the Ranfurly Shield.
Magpies lineup to play North Harbour at QBE Stadium in Albany on Saturday at 2.05pm:
1. Jason Long
2. Kianu Kereru-Symes (captain)
3. Joel Hintz
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere
5. Bryn Evans
6. Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
7. Brendon O'Connor
8. Gareth Evans
9. Connor McLeod
10. Caleb Makene
11. Mason Emerson
12. Ollie Sapsford
13. Sam McNicol
14. Neria Fomai
15. Kurt Baker
Bench
16. Jacob Devery
17. Sona Taumalolo
18. Pouri Rakete-Stones
19. Geoff Cridge
20. Solomone Funaki
21. Folau Fakatava
22. Lincoln McClutchie
23. Anzelo Tuitavuki (debut)