Rugby: Magpies will be up for first challenge: Physio

Magpies captain Mike Coman brings the Log o' Wood through the gates at Hawke's Bay Airport to hundreds of waiting fans. Photo / Duncan Brown

It would have been easy for Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team physio Mark Nicol to jokingly claim a fair chunk of the kudos for the side's Ranfurly Shield victory in Dunedin on Sunday.

After all Nicol, of Cape Physio, is the only "rookie" on the Magpies' management team. Coaches Craig Philpott and Danny Lee, managers Neil Weber and Brian Jenkinson, doctor Ian Taylor, trainer Grant Dearns and analyst Peter O'Shaughnessy have all been involved in past challenges. But blowing one's trumpet has never been Nicol's style, nor is it the Magpies' ... remember the "team before self" slogan the side promotes.

"It's more about the boys ... the coaches and the players," Nicol said shortly after Air New Zealand's flight 8440 from Wellington touched down at Hawke's Bay Airport and Magpies captain Mike Coman led his team towards more than 400 rowdy and jubilant fans as the Come on the Bay song belted out through the terminal's PA system. "I feel for the boys who couldn't make it to Dunedin because of injury. Take Lowey ... he would have loved to have been there," Nicol said, pointing to flanker Karl Lowe, a veteran of 92 first-class games for the side since 2004, who missed the trip south with his rib injury.

Nicol, who this year replaced the long-serving Garry Sye, a former All Blacks team physio who had the role for 11 years during three stints, said he and fellow members of the management team probably felt the weight and history associated with the challenge more than the players, which wasn't a bad thing.

At the same time he praised the professionalism within the squad and said the players didn't over-indulge on the celebration front.

"All the players have been to me and Doc. Planning is already in place for Saturday's first defence against Counties-Manukau ... the boys will be raring to go come Saturday.

"Occasions such as challenges are as much about the event as they are about the players' ability," Nicol added.

Philpott described yesterday's reception as "pretty amazing, with lots of smiley faces".

Magpies captain Mike Coman said the welcome, which included a Richmond School rendition of popular Ngati Kahungunu haka Tika Tonu, exceeded expectations.

"It was absolutely awesome."

A hoarse Hawke's Bay Rugby Union chief executive Mike Bishop told the crowd his lucky undies did the job.

"It got pretty tense towards the end of the game but the boys did a great job," he added.

For Magpies hooker Ash Dixon, Sunday's Ranfurly Shield win provided the perfect 25th birthday present.

His partner Mikayla and 23-month-old daughter Paiyton were among the spectators and they managed a family portrait with the shield.

"What a way to celebrate your birthday and Father's Day ... the shield topped it off," he said.

Dixon predicted the Magpies would have no trouble going up a gear for the clash against the Counties-Manukau Steelers.

"The crowd will support us ... look at everyone here at the airport today. Amazing and unreal," Dixon added.

Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott was also overwhelmed with the turnout at the airport.

"We know McLean Park will be packed on Saturday but there will be 150,000 people behind the Magpies," she said, referring to the Hawke's Bay population.