With the new rules at the breakdown and tackle areas, players can no longer power over and slow the ball down like they could previously.
Basically if you don't get up in the opposition's faces during the first two phases and keep them behind the advantage line, phases will keep developing and teams will be punished as the Magpies have been.
The best way to slow down the ball is to be dominant in the tackle, hold the ball up and turn it into a maul. The teams which are performing well have mastered this art.
Last year, the Magpies had one of two experienced hands, Zac Guildford or Israel Dagg, in the fullback role for the bulk of the season. They had plenty of chatter and marshalled the troops with authority on defence.
Lewis Marshall and Ryan Tongia haven't been as loud or authoritative to date. There have also been far too many occasions when the outside backs have panicked and rushed out of the defensive line while in their red zone and conceded tries.
This panic has often happened when the inside backs have been back-pedalling and haven't been stationed where they should be within the defensive structures.
This is an experience factor and, compared with last year, the Magpies are lacking experience.
Guildford has gone and because Dagg and fellow All Black, lock Brodie Retallick, are performing so well at interntional level, they are unlikely to be seen in Magpies' colours this season.
The absence of departed experienced Super Rugby midfielders Andrew Horrell and Richard Buckman is hurting big time.
Almost to the same extent is the absence of the 2014-15 captain Brendon O'Connor. Add to this list the season-ending injuries to Super players Brendon Edmonds, Michael Allardice and Gareth Evans before the Mitre 10 Cup started and the on-going concussion issues which have sidelined Sam McNicol and it doesn't take a genius to work out the semifinal goal was ambitious.
What the current active Magpies squad boasts is a Premiership title-contending outfit for next year or the following season, providing the bulk of the squad sticks together and those injured Super players recover.
There needs to be more creativity in the back play and this should be happening as the current squad has now had enough time together in game and training situations.
With two first five-eighths, Ihaia West and Tiaan Falcon, starting in the 10 and 12 jerseys tomorrow night against Auckland at Napier's McLean Park this could be the spark for more creation. Falcon replaces Billy Ropiha at second five-eighth.
The other change to the starting XV sees Hurricanes loosie Tony Lamborn return from illness to replace Ben Hamelink at openside flanker. Hamelink replaces Hugh Renton on the subs' bench as Renton has a shoulder injury.
Centurion Chris Eaton is poised to make his first appearance of the season from the bench after recovering from a calf injury. He replaces Ellery Wilson on the pine and Ropiha swaps with Falcon in changes to the team used against the Steelers.
It hasn't been all doom and gloom for the Magpies. Two positives have stood out big time.
One has been the admirable manner regular hooker Ricky Riccitelli has handled the switch to loosehead prop in the absence of Edmonds. Another has been the form of centre Jonah Lowe who, like Riccitelli, represented New Zealand at under-20 level.
Lowe gained 76 metres from nine carries against the Steelers, the most of any player.
Against Taranaki, Lowe made 60 metres, sevenfewer than halfback Brad Weber.
A key difference between last year's Magpies and this year's squad is that when the likes of Lowe and Weber make a line break, there isn't the same level of support. The necessary urgency levels have yet to be displayed.
Those levels need to be attained tomorrow night or the semifinal quest will switch to one of striving to avoid relegation. With top of the table Canterbury next, things won't get any easier.
Both teams:
Hawke's Bay Magpies: Ryan Tongia, Robbie Fruean, Jonah Lowe, Tiaan Falcon, Mason Emerson, Ihaia West, Brad Weber, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Tony Lamborn, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Mark Abbott (vice-captain), Geoff Cridge, Ben May, Ash Dixon (captain), Ricky Riccitelli.
Substitutes, forwards, Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long, Tolu Fahamokioa, Ross Filipo, Ben Hamelink.
Backs, Chris Eaton, Billy Ropiha, Matt Garland.
Auckland: To be announced later today.
