Rugby: Disease of missed tackles infectious

Robbie Fruean.

The gastro bug may be under control but the missed tackle bug appears to be rife in Hawke's Bay's male representative rugby teams.

While the Magpies missed 25 in New Plymouth the Hawke's Bay Saracens and Hawke's Bay under-19 teams experienced the same dilemma in their games against Manawatu counterparts at Napier's Park Island.

"We did well to fight our way back to 24-all early in the second half after trailing 24-14 at halftime but we fell off too many tackles after that," Saracens manager Mike Smith said after his team's 62-31 loss.

Smith said the Saracens forwards scrummaged well but struggled at lineout time. Overall the Saracens weren't patient enough on attack.

Magpie Robbie Fruean started at centre for the Saracens. Smith said Fruean was starved of opportunities on attack but when he received them he was creative for his outsides.

Winger Tomo Fogarty, who scored two tries, and his Central teammate Cole Eru, who had stints at first five-eighth and second five-eighth, were others to impress in the Saracens backline. Substitute outside back Tom Iosefo also scored two tries for the hosts.

Former Magpies loosie Joseph Penitito was the pick of the Sarcens forwards. He carried with purpose and had a high work rate on defence.

"We've got a rest this weekend. It's come at the right time," Smith added.

Poor defensive work and numerous dropped balls contributed to the Hawke's Bay under-19 team's 56-7 walloping from their Manawatu counterparts in the curtainraiser.

Bay manager Cyril Whitburn expected his troops to do better particularly with Magpies prop Mason Kean and No8 Marin Mikaele-Tu'u in the side.

"Those two had some memorable moments but there weren't enough of them," Whitburn said.

Likely season-ending ankle injuries to winger Jobey Pomare and fullback Ethan Prichard added to the side's woes.