NPC Rugby: Hawke's Bay Magpies TAB underdogs going into Shield defence

Mark Ozich says a bye has come at a good time for his side preparing for the final shield defence of 2021. Photo by Paul Taylor.

A bye came at the perfect time for the Hawke's Bay Magpies, who face a Ranfurly Shield challenge from Tasman tomorrow afternoon at McLean Park in Napier.

An extra week to prepare has allowed Super Rugby stars Devan Flanders, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Danny Toala and Joe Apikotoa to recover from their injuries ahead of the 2019 and 2020 NPC Premiership champions' visit.

Magpies head coach Mark Ozich said it's key to be back near full-strength (albeit without long-term absentees Folau Fakatava, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Connor McLeod and Bryn Evans, who is a couple of weeks away from a return) to play the excellent Mako.

"One of the things that's missing from their trophy cabinet is a Ranfurly Shield tenure, so they'll be really motivated," Ozich said.

Tasman were the last team to beat Hawke's Bay in Napier, two years ago this month, and Ozich said their depth means even without All Blacks including Shannon Frizell, David Havili, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder and Sevu Reece they can field a formidable side.

"They're a good, balanced team, they're well-coached," he said.

"They've got good athletes, they're big men and they're skilful men - they've got threats across the field."

Tasman are top of the NPC Premiership table with four wins from five games, but a win for the Magpies could see them overtake the Mako from third place.

Stealing the top spot would be a major boon for Hawke's Bay at this point in the campaign, especially given national uncertainty with the Covid situation means there are currently no fixtures scheduled beyond next week.

Ozich said at this stage his side will be playing Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday week but any planning past that is difficult given the NPC's "bizarre" predicament.

"There's no ability to have plans around rotating guys, giving [the whole squad] opportunities," he said.

Ozich added that he thinks it's not so bad for the players because they can focus on one week at a time:

"They'll handle it better than I will. There's just too many variables for me, it's offputting in terms of the bigger picture."

Mikaele-Tu'u and Flanders come straight into the starting lineup at blindside flanker and No 8 with Josh Kaifa and Gareth Evans shifting to the bench.

Ollie Sapsford will also be a substitute this week with Toala taking back the 12 jersey, while Elijah Martin, Caleb Makene and Kienan Higgins all miss out, having featured in last week's win over Wellington.

Joe Apikotoa has been bracketed with Joel Hintz on the bench with the tighthead prop facing a late fitness test to prove he has recovered from his foot injury.

Hawke's Bay were underdogs for that game and are once again the less-fancied team with the TAB paying $2.30 for a Magpies win against $1.56 for Tasman.

Tickets for the match went on general sale from last night at 5pm after the Government opened up restrictions on events under Covid alert level two this week.

Ozich, who is heading to Perth at the end of the season to take up an ''attack coach' role in Super Rugby, said it was a big match but his main focus wasn't the Ranfurly Shield.

"All those peripheral things are important - it is important but it is a peripheral thing really.

"For me it is always about the team and the performance and if we get those things right then it's points in the bag, and the shield is a nice bonus really."

Hawke's Bay Magpies team to play Tasman on Saturday, kickoff 4.35pm

1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Ash Dixon (captain), 3. Namatahi Waa, 4. Geoff Cridge, 5. Tom Parsons, 6. Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7. Brendon O'Connor, 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lincoln McClutchie, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Neria Fomai, 15. Lolagi Visinia

Reserves: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Jason Long, 18. Joe Apikotoa/Joel Hintz, 19. Josh Kaifa, 20. Gareth Evans, 21. Tiaan Falcon, 22. Ollie Sapsford, 23. Solomone Funaki