KEY POINTS:
Waikato head into tomorrow's quarter-final against Hawkes Bay without captain Liam Messam after coach Tony Hanks opted to put the star flanker's All Blacks aspirations ahead of the province's title ambitions.
Messam has been troubled by a hamstring strain in recent weeks but playing on one leg hasn't
prevented him from turning in some stunning displays, including a first-half hat-trick against Otago in round nine.
But Hanks, who believes Messam's form has placed him in strong contention for a place on the end of year All Blacks tour, finally decided enough was enough and ordered his captain to sit out tomorrow's do-or-die contest.
"I think he is well in the picture for an end of year tour and I don't want to do anything that is going to jeopardise his chances," Hanks said.
"I know that if I asked Liam would go out there and do what he has been doing for the last 10 weeks and really put his body on the line for his team. No one wants this team to be successful more than Liam."
Making sure Messam gets another chance to play this season - in a semifinal next weekend - would be a major part of his team's motivation, Hanks said.
For that to happen, the Mooloos will have to overcome a team that has beaten them in three straight matches, all of which have been played in Napier.
Last season's thrilling 38-35 Magpies' victory was the match of the competition. Hanks, who was assistant to Warren Gatland for that match, watched his side throw away a 14-point lead late in the game. That match is still fresh in his mind but, after unsuccessfully hyping the round eight return match as a chance for revenge, he has changed his tune.
"We've had the revenge angle the last two games so maybe we'll chuck that one out the window. Any talk of revenge is a personal thing. It is something that we haven't talked about and we are not going to."
Waikato may have bolstered their ranks with fullback Mils Muliaina - who will make his first appearance for the province since the 2006 final victory over Wellington - but Hawkes Bay will still fancy their chances against a team that is quickly becoming their bunny side.
"I understand that there is a lot of confidence in the Hawkes Bay camp and rightly so, they've had a good season," Hanks said.
"And they probably feel they've got our number. But I can promise you that we have got a pretty focused and determined group here.
"I don't think it mattered who we got in the quarter-final because in a competition like this you've got to be able to beat everyone anyway."
Hawkes Bay welcome back first five-eighths Matt Berquist after four matches out with a broken hand.
Waikato are without Stephen Brett (ribs) but have named Richard Kahui at centre, Sitiveni Sivivatu at wing and Sione Lauaki at No 8.
Hanks, however, is wary of the perception that the return of his big guns will turn the match in his side's favour.
"I think sometimes we put unfair expectations on the guys coming back. They've got to fit back into a new environment and a new game plan so it does take a week or two."
The match will serve as a Napier farewell for Magpies halfback Danny Lee. The 32-year-old has been told he is unwanted by the Blues next season and plans to take up a contract overseas at the end of the Hawkes Bay's campaign.
Hawkes Bay v Waikato
Napier, 2.35pm tomorrow
Hawkes Bay:
Israel Dagg
Jason Kupa
Jason Shoemark
Sam Giddens
Zac Guildford
Matt Berquist
Danny Lee (c)
George Naoupu
Karl Lowe
Michael Johnson
Bryn Evand
Johan Snyman
Anthony Perenise
Hikawera Elliott
F Taumalolo
Waikato:
Mils Muliaina
Sosene Anesi
Richard Kahui
Jackson Willison
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Callum Bruce
David Bason
Sione Lauaki
Tom Harding
Faifili Levave
Romana Graham
Toby Lynn (c)
A de Malmanche
Ole Avei
Hikairo Forbes
Reserves:
Hawkes Bay: Ash Dixon, Josh Keys, Matt Egan, Pama Petia, Chris Eaton, Daniel Waenga, Aayden Clarke.
Waikato: Vern Kamo, Toby Smith, Kent Fife, Matt Blain, Malcolm Barnes, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Mikkelson.