Rugby: Magpies upbeat despite shield defeat

Magpies captain Brendon O'Connor congratulates the Waikato players on their success after Friday night's loss. Photo / Duncan Brown

If Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby coach Craig Philpott was still hurting after his team's Ranfurly Shield defeat he was doing a top job of hiding it yesterday.

"It's been an exciting couple of years. Individually we put a full stop to the disappointment yesterday. Now we start again. We're focused and excited about our semifinal," Philpott said, referring to Saturday's ITM Cup Championship semifinal against Bay of Plenty at Napier's McLean Park that will kick off at 2.35pm.

In addition to losing the Ranfurly Shield after 11 successful defences previously with a 36-30 loss to Waikato on Friday night, their first defeat at home this season, the Magpies lost another two players through injury for the remainder of the season.

Substitute prop Mark Braidwood dislocated a shoulder and substitute halfback Ellery Wilson a knee injury that will sideline him for four to six weeks. Flanker Tony Lamborn is a doubtful starter for the Steamers match with a niggly shoulder.

Braidwood and Wilson join fullback Israel Dagg and loosies Gareth Evans and Joseph Penitito as players who have collected season-ending injuries during the cup campaign. Lock Geoff Cridge and loosie Hugh Renton missed the entire Magpies season with injuries.

Wider training group halfback Jonathan Ruru, who got cup time as a sub in the win against Otago, and prop Mason Kean, who played during the shield defences against Heartland opponents, will train with the squad this week.

Friday night's match was the Magpies fifth in 20 days. Philpott and his assistant Danny Lee gave their troops the weekend off. "I know some of the boys went hunting. We know how important it was for them to have some quality family time and freshen up."

Because the Magpies finished top of the table at the end of the round robin they will host the championship final on October 23 if they beat the Steamers.

Wellington will host Otago in the other semifinal.

Philpott said he wasn't stressed either way about meeting the Steamers or the Razorbacks on Saturday.

"Both teams provide lots of opportunities for us."

Magpies captain Brendon O'Connor said at the season launch in August his team's major goals were to retain the Ranfuly Shield for a second consecutive summer and gain promotion to the Premiership.

With the Log o' Wood gone, the Magpies must now make promotion the priority.

Anything less and the season would be a failure. The Magpies have too much talent and firepower not return to the Premiership after a three-season absence. Good teams are allowed one shocker in a season and the Magpies had theirs with their 29-14 loss to Canterbury a month ago, their only loss in the cup this season before Friday night's. The manner in which the Magpies fought back from a 36-18 deficit with less than 10 minutes remaining on Friday night is proof they have the necessary character and determination to take out the championship.

However, the fact remains they shouldn't have had that deficit in the first place. Reduce the missed-tackle count - Friday night's 34 were too many - remain composed at all times and be disciplined, and the Steamers should be beaten by at least nine points.

The Steamers proved with their 23-17 loss in their September 19 match against the Magpies they deserve plenty of respect.