Editorial: We hold a big piece of Cup glory

We are the champions.

Well, the Chiefs are the new Super Rugby champions, but Hawke's Bay rugby can quite justifiably claim a piece of the trophy.

Former Magpies coach Tom Coventry is Chiefs assistant coach and there are seven 2011 Magpies in the championship winning side.

That is enough for us. We salute the Magpies on their great achievement and it is credit to them that a small province like ours had such a representation in the winning squad.

The seven are Kane Thompson, Sona Taumalolo, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Andrew Horrell, Brodie Retallick and Tino Nemani.

If you add Crusaders and All Blacks Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford to that list, it proves that this region is still capable of producing top talent.

With some of those players returning to play for the Magpies in the provincial competition this year, things are looking very good for new coach Craig Philpott and his team.

Players who have been in a winning culture are always keen to recreate that environment in other teams they play in. Let's hope Hawke's Bay rugby benefits greatly from its involvement with the Chiefs.

Our representation in the team will do wonders for the development of the game at grassroots level. I am sure there were many young Hawke's Bay boys who will be trying to emulate their Magpies' heroes.

But Saturday night belonged to the Chiefs' team who totally outplayed a rather lacklustre and travel-weary Sharks team. It was not the most attractive rugby ever played, but it was stirring stuff. After the disappointments of previous years, it was nice to see the faithful Waikato crowd rewarded. Another proud moment for Hawke's Bay was when Elliot led the Chiefs in a post-match haka.

The next thing that needs to happen is that the trophy needs to come for a visit to Hawke's Bay. Coventry told us yesterday that he and the Magpies in the team were keen to bring it home if Napier or Hastings or both cities were keen to host them.

I hope that as I write this there are teams of council officials from both cities (working together) to organise a parade for our heroes.

It is a fine achievement and it deserves to be celebrated.