Rugby: Defence key for Magpies

Andrew Horrell, left, on the move in support of Richard Buckman. This combination has been a key to the Magpies' unbeaten run in 2015. Photo / File

It's appropriate Andrew Horrell will play his 100th first-class rugby game when the Hawke's Bay Magpies take on Canterbury in Christchurch tomorrow night.

A former Canterbury age-group rep up to under-15 level, Horrell could have been playing for Canterbury had he not been hindered by injuries in the older age groups. After two years in the Christchurch Boys' High School 1st XV, he had the necessary pedigree.

With All Black Dan Carter, a then future All Black Ryan Crotty and Stephen Brett ranked ahead of him for the five-eighth roles in 2009, Horrell decided to try his luck with the Magpies. It's a move which paid off big time with the versatile "Mr Fixit" going on to play 47 games for the Bay over the last seven seasons, 50 for the Chiefs and one each for the World XV and New Zealand Barbarians.

"With both teams unbeaten and keen to prove a point, it's going to be a massive game," Horrell, 27, said as he pondered the fifth-round ITM Cup fixture at AMI Stadium.

While he has plenty of inside knowledge on Crotty, Horrell has made a point in recent weeks of watching the bloke he will be marking at second five-eighth, Rob Thompson.

"Rob is a strong ball carrier and a good tackler. I'm going to have to make sure I commit when we're on defence."

He agreed the Magpies' defence required vast improvement after the leaking of five tries against North Harbour last weekend when 32 tackles, three of them his, were missed.

"We can't do that against top teams like Canterbury. We'll have to put in an 80-minute effort," Horrell said.

His combination with Highlander Richard Buckman in the midfield has been one of the keys to the Magpies' success to date this season. Their solid defensive work has been matched by their ability to break the defensive line with a variety of options.

"Bucky has come off a successful Super season and is playing well. Hopefully our partnership continues for a while to come," Horrell said.

He pointed out the success the Magpies are experiencing this year has a lot to do with the work put in during the last three seasons with the same coaching staff and a core group of "really good players".

"We haven't finished with a title and it would be nice to do that this season. It would also be great to keep the shield for another year too," Horrell said.

Magpies head coach Craig Philpott will announce his travelling squad later today.

The former Cantab obviously wants to keep those in charge of the team he played for a couple of decades ago guessing as long as possible.

Philpott agreed the Canterbury outfit thrive on structure both defensively and on attack.

"It's important we make those structures uncomfortable."

Hawke's Bay age-group product and former All Black lock Dominic Bird will start for the hosts while former Magpies hooker Ged Robinson is expected to get game time off the pine.

All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala will make his first ITM Cup appearance of the season and another prop with recent All Black experience, Joe Moody, will start at loosehead.