Rugby: All eyes on staying power of Ede's magic touch

Logan Ede hopes his 2016 golden touch continues at the national U19 rugby tournament. Photo / Annette Johnson

How long can Hawke's Bay under-19 rugby hooker Logan Ede's golden touch last?

"Hopefully till the end of this tournament at least. My decision to return home from Auckland has definitely paid off," Ede replied shortly after arriving in Taupo last night to prepare for today's start to the seven-day Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 tournament at Taupo's Owen Delany Park.

Ede, 20, returned home late last year after playing for the Varsity Vipers team. He played for Auckland at last year's national under-19 tourney and they finished seventh.

"We didn't quite click. There were a lot of Pacific Islanders in the team and while they spoke English on the field when we were off it they went into their own groups and spoke their own language and we didn't have the bond we could have had.

At the same time they were still a good bunch of blokes to play with," Ede said.

Since being back in the Bay he has helped his Napier Old Boys Marist premier team win the Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy.

He recently returned from the New Zealand Marist Colts team's four match tour of the South Island where he helped them draw with the West Coast Heartland Championship team and win their other three games by comfortable margins.

"I had plenty of game time and with four games in seven days it was the ideal preparation in terms of match fitness going into this week's tournament," Ede said.

A landscaper by trade, Ede, is confident Hawke's Bay can return home with the division two silverware.

"We've got heaps of boys with premier club rugby experience. We've also got players who have been involved with the New Zealand under-20 team's programme. Last year's team only had five or six players with premier club experience," Ede said.

He trained with the Magpies wider training group earlier this year and he hopes some polished displays in Taupo will enhance his chances of Mitre 10 Cup selection in the future.

Hawke's Bay co-coach Stu Drew said his troops are focused on winning the division two title at the 16-team tournament. This would give them a ninth placing.

He is rapt to have the services of two Magpies, prop Mason Kean, the team's captain and No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. There is a chance another Magpie, versatile back Tiaan Falcon, may join the team later in the tournament.

Kean is one of three members of last year's team which finished 11th, who are back for a second crack. The others are midfield backs Ricky Hayes and Craig Sharplin.

The Hawke's Bay team to take on Southland today is:

Liam McFarland, Duff Penitito, Craig Sharplin, Ricky Hayes, Thomas Agnew, Harris Solomon, Zac Donaldson, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Hannon Brighouse, Jarvan Nofoagatoatoa, Arron Einarsson, Ben Taylor, Pouri Rakete-Stone, Logan Ede, Mason Kean (captain). Substitutes, forwards, Jack Byrne, Johnny Faleiva, Lochie Tait, Angus McKnight, Ian Rore. backs, Mac Jurgens, Sam Lewis, Phoenix Allen.