Rugby: Baby Black's chance to prove himself

Ricky Riccitelli

Hawke's Bay v Horowhenua-Kapiti Ranfurly Shield

We would have understood if new Magpies front rower Ricky Riccitelli arrived in Hawke's Bay with a cocky swagger.

It has been less than a month since Riccitelli helped New Zealand win the Under-20 World Cup in Italy. But the former Otago and Taranaki age group representative's attitude and chat was as polished as his on-field actions were as the Baby Blacks tasted title glory for the first time since 2011.

"I want a berth in the Magpies ITM Cup squad but I've got to earn respect in matches like this week's first," Riccitelli said referring to tomorrow night's Ranfurly Shield defence against Horowhenua-Kapiti at Napier's McLean Park.

Riccitelli, who will start at hooker, is the only player in the starting XV who will be making his first class debut for the Magpies. The MAC pair of prop Mason Kean and former Manawatu utility back Lewis Marshall, and Havelock North pivot J'ndre Liebenberg will if they get game time off the pine.

"My first goal for the season, the World Cup is done, now it's time to go to work again and help the Magpies retain the shield. It's exciting to be playing in a shield match for the first time," Riccitelli said.

"I know there are still several Super players to come back after their national commitments but I'm impressed with the Magpies environment."

Francis Douglas Memorial College old boy Riccitelli, who has been allocated the Havelock North club, was a spectator when the Magpies beat Wairarapa Bush 58-7 last week.

"I can understand the improvements the boys want to make. That soft turnover count will be reduced if we are more clinical around the ruck area. It's important we adopt a one-man, one-bullet mentality," Riccitelli said.

He admitted doing little research on the visitors as he preferred to focus on becoming familiar with the Magpies structures.

"But I know Horowhenua-Kapiti will bring 100 per cent intensity. It's a shield challenge ... they will be up for it," he added.

Magpies head coach Craig Philpott, who has left his assistant Danny Lee in charge this week while he is in Auckland as an assistant coach with the New Zealand Barbarians, wasn't short on respect for the visitors and left specific instructions about when the Magpies team should be made public.

"The Horowhenua-Kapiti lads would have watched us play the Bush on television. Our team to play them is not to be released until Wednesday ... the less time they have to know about who we will be starting the better."

Changes to the Magpies starting XV see Jason Long replace the injured Tolu Fahamokioa at loosehead prop, Riccitelli replace Jorian Tangaere, captain Brendon O'Connor replace Tom Stanley at openside flanker and Ellery Wilson replace Chris Eaton at halfback.

Unavailable for the Magpies either through injuries or international commitments are All Blacks Israel Dagg and Ben Franks, Maori All Blacks Ash Dixon and Brendon Edmonds, New Zealand Barbarians Ihaia West, Andrew Horrell and Richard Buckman, Fahamokioa, Michael Allardice, Geoff Cridge, Mark Abbott, Gareth Evans, Hugh Renton and Ryan Tongia.

Nine of the Horowhenua-Kapiti side's starting XV played in last year's Heartland Championship semifinal loss to Buller. They will be stronger than the Wairarapa Bush outfit but will still struggle.

There are too many Magpies like former Central Districts under-19 cricketer Riccitelli who have points to prove.