Rain may mar big match

Magpie Zac Guildford puts Treyah Kingi, from Tamatea Intermediate School, through his paces during an Aims training session. Photo / Paul Taylor

Mother Nature looks to be the only one not prepared to play ball at McLean Park in Napier tomorrow afternoon but seasoned rugby fans have not been too put off.

The Hawke's Bay Mapgies are set to spark off their 2015 season, and opening defence of the Ranfurly Shield, against Wairarapa-Bush in what will be true winter rugby conditions.

However, the prospect of slightly inclement weather has not put off the fans, with about 4000 tickets having already been sold.

Sales had been steady and tickets were available from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union office at McLean Park up until game day and a ticket box would in place at the main entrance on match day.

"It's been going very well," a spokesperson said.

Magpies coach Craig Philpott said the weather won't affect his team, who have planned for playing in the conditions.

"They will be cold, but they'll be all right," Mr Philpott said.

The Magpies will take on eight shield challengers this year.

The prized Log o' Wood had been doing the rounds of businesses and schools over the past weeks, and had undergone a good polish up.

Getting it looking its best was "top of the list" was how one of the rugby union front-of-house crew put it.

Lining up for a shot at the shield after Wairarapa Bush will be Horowhenua-Kapiti, Mid-Canterbury, Northland, North Harbour, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and for the final match and shield clash of the season, traditional old foes Waikato.

Heroes take training

Hawke's Bay heroes have been helping the next generation of sporting talent prepare for the 2015 Aims Games.

The intermediate-aged, multi-code sports tournament will take place at Tauranga in September.

In the build-up to the games the key sponsor Anchor are putting on training sessions around the country and a few lucky Hawke's Bay youngsters got the benefit of some top-class coaching from the Magpies yesterday.

Tamatea Intermediate, Flaxmere Primary School, Havelock North Intermediate and Wairoa College were all invited to attend, as they have registered teams to compete in the Aims Games Rugby 7s competition.

The session armed them with a few handy skills to take to tournament and some sound advice for competing at the top of your game when the pressure-cooker heats up.