It's not quite a case of bring back the biff but more mongrel is a must for the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team tomorrow.
A lack of physicality at the confrontation area let the Magpies down during last weekend's 29-3 loss to the Manawatu Turbos in Palmerston North. If the Magpies are going to lock the Ranfurly Shield away for the summer it's important they up the aggression big time in tomorrow's ITM Cup Championship clash against the Southland Stags at McLean Park, Napier.
"Yes, we've got to get in their faces from the start," Magpies prop Brendon Edmonds said.
"We weren't there mentally against the Turbos. While we were there physically we didn't take it to them enough at confrontation time," Edmonds said.
With Edmonds, 23, switching from the Hurricanes to the Highlanders for the next two Super seasons, tomorrow's match is the ideal opportunity for him to stake an early claim for regular game time with the Highlanders next year. The Havelock North club player made one appearance for the Hurricanes this year from the wider training group and he said with the move south there was a chance of more game time.