Maori lock fires up Hawke's Bay Magpies

New Zealand Maori lock Reece Robinson was an inspirational figure as Hawke's Bay regained the lead in the national second-division rugby competition on Saturday.

Robinson produced his best performance to date in the 2001 Air New Zealand NPC during the Magpies 35-18 win against Mid Canterbury at the Ashburton Showgrounds.

Along with fellow Bay locks Daniel Quate and new import, Tongan international Lua Lokatui, from Auckland's Suburbs club, Robinson ruled the lineouts (he took five of Mid Canterbury hooker Paul Morunga's throws), shone with his mobility in the loose and set up a cracker of a try for second five-eighth Davis Norman.

"I've taken a liking to Paul's throws ... we did it in the Maddison Trophy club final and again today," Robinson said.

Morunga said Robinson's job in the lineout was made easier because Magpies prop Peter Bielski, a Havelock North clubmate of Morunga's, told him about the throwing-in methods used by the Mid Canterbury No 2.

"I felt a bit lethargic in our last few games but it was good out there against Mid Canterbury," Robinson added.

His improved display reflected the improved performance produced by the Hawke's Bay forwards as the Magpies secured the maximum five competition points for the third time in as many NPC outings.

Magpies coach Mark Shaw admitted to being "pretty pleased" with his forwards. "They muscled up and delivered what I've been looking for throughout the NPC," he said.

"Now we've got a bit of work to do with the backs who are still not gelling. They had a few opportunities which they didn't finish on two or three occasions," Shaw said.

"But overall we showed some ticker and attitude and our defence was pretty good particularly when we were down to 14 men," Shaw added referring to the period when prop Bielski was in the sinbin. While Bielski was in the bin Mid Canterbury scored 10 points.

However, Hawke's Bay scored seven in the same period with Lokatui (an Inoke Afeaki look-a-like) scoring a try on debut following good build-up work from Norman.

Winger Afa Sauia was another to score his first try for the Magpies and it was an intercept run in the 75th minute.

Norman was the pick of the Bay backs while fullback Tim Manawatu, who landed five of his seven attempts at goal, also did little wrong. First five-eighth Marius Kriel scored another of his favourite solo dummy move tries.

All of the Bay forwards deserve praise for their improved efforts and along with Robinson hooker Mo Schwalger and vice captain and flanker Eric Van Der Merwe were particularly prominent.

Captain and flanker Jason Gill and look Dan Dwyer toiled tirelessly in the Mid Canterbury pack. Winger Mark Fitzgerald, who scored two tries, made the most of his opportunities in the losing backline and both halfbacks, Paul Harris and Nathan Fridd, were gutsy.

While Mid Canterbury coach Nigel Marshall, a former national under-19 selector with Shaw, had every right to praise his troops for not giving up he had to agree they were out-muscled by a bigger and more physical pack.

Marshall's first five-eighth, Tupe Fanolua, succeeded with three of his four attempts at goal.

Hawke's Bay's win was a case of sweet revenge for a 35-22 loss suffered against Mid Canterbury last season.

Their first home game in almost a month will be played at Napier's McLean Park on Saturday against Thames Valley.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY