Ranfurly Shield: O'Connor's 100th first-class game set

Magpies captain Brendon O'Connor knows what to do and when to do it. Photo / Paul Taylor

As a loose forward Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby captain Brendon O'Connor knows all about perfect timing.

O'Connor knows when to release a tackled player, when to and not to pass after one of his powerful carries and when to and not to commit himself to a breakdown. This timing was on show when he produced a player-of-the-match performance in last week's win against Counties-Manukau.

The Blues player-of-the-year's 100th first-class match, tomorrow night's Ranfurly Shield defence and fourth-round ITM Cup clash against North Harbour at Napier's McLean Park, also couldn't have been better timed. His Magpies are unbeaten and top of the championship, tomorrow night's opponents will feature several of his Blues teammates and the game is six days out from his 26th birthday.

"I didn't know this was my 100th until it was pointed out to me earlier in the week. While it's a nice box to tick off it's more important we focus on getting a win," O'Connor said.

The Gisborne Boys' High School product who will head to the United Kingdom to play for Leicester Tigers at the end of the season stressed how crucial it was not to take Harbour lightly.

He has been surprised by the lack of contact from his Blues mates on the Harbour roster.

"I texted Hayden Triggs to ask him how things were going. He didn't reply and is probably going to leave the banter until we get on the field."

O'Connor said the Magpies have welcomed the eight-day turnaround after their last match. They have freshened up well and put in some solid trainings this week.

Of all his first-class fixtures O'Connor ranked the Magpies shield wins as the most memorable.

"I'm going to miss the boys and the culture which has been created during the past three seasons. But before I go I will do everything possible to make sure we keep winning and the shield stays in the Bay for another summer," he added.

For the record O'Connor's 99 first-class games to date include 42 for the Blues, 26 for the Magpies, 17 for Canterbury, five for the New Zealand Under-20s, three for the New Zealand Universities, four for the Crusaders Development and two for the Crusaders.

Magpies head coach Craig Philpott has made two changes to his starting XV used in last week's win against Counties-Manukau. Jarvy Aoake replaces World Cup-bound All Black Ben Franks at tighthead prop and Highlander Ryan Tongia replaces the suspended Zac Guildford on the right wing.

Guildford incurred a four-game suspension after pleading guilty to a lifting tackle in the 58th minute of the win against the Steelers. He won't be available again until the September 30 away game against Wellington.

"We could have appealed the four weeks but we didn't want to risk it being extended. I think the fact Zac had only previously had one yellow card in 180 first-class games kept the sentence at the lower end," Philpott said.

Originally Philpott had planned to use Crusaders utility back Robbie Fruean tomorrow night but he said Fruean's first outing of the season will be next week's away clash against Canterbury. Philpott didn't want to risk him after one week of contact training.

The only change to the Magpies' subs bench sees promising winger Mason Emerson replace Tongia. Prop Jason Long, No8 Kaleb Sweet, first five-eighth Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald and utility back Lewis Marshall will play for the Hawke's Bay Saracens against Wellington Development in Palmerston North tomorrow while centre-winger Jonah Lowe will play for the Hawke's Bay under-19s against Manawatu.

Both teams

Hawke's Bay:

Israel Dagg, Ryan Tongia, Richard Buckman, Andrew Horrell, Shannan Chase, Ihaia West, Ellery Wilson, Brendon O'Connor (captain), Tom Stanley, Tony Lamborn, Michael Allardice, Mark Abbott, Jarvy Aoake, Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds. Substitutes: Forwards, Jorian Tangaere, Tolu Fahamokioa, Mark Braidwood, Sanaila Waqa, Trent Boswell-Wakefield; Backs, Chris Eaton, Billy Ropiha, Mason Emerson.

North Harbour (likely): Matt McGahan, Nafi Tuitavake, Matt Vaega, Michael Little, Tevita Li, Daniel Halangahu, Bryn Hall (captain), Jordan Manihera, James Doyle, Chris Vui, Hayden Triggs, Gerard Tuioti-Mariner, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Nic Mayhew. Substitutes: Forwards, Ray Niuia, Adrian Smith, Alex Woonton, Hapakuki Moala Liava'a, Josh Blucher; Backs, David Bason, Josh Rowland, Junior Tofa'a Va'a.