Top marks for realism go to new Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team head coach Mark Ozich.
There has been plenty of talk within Hawke's Bay rugby circles suggesting Ozich's Magpies will have enough talent to win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship this season and return to the Premiership. However Ozich, who replaced Craig Philpott in November, adopted a realistic approach after the Magpies draw was announced yesterday.
"We've got to be realistic. There are so many variables ... new signings and a new culture. A semifinal, home or away, has to be a realistic goal," Ozich said.
"Improved performances will be a big priority and that means eliminating those blowouts we experienced last year."
Considering the Magpies will be playing without two of their senior backs from recent seasons, Highlander and 2017 back-of-the-year Richard Buckman and Maori All Blacks and Hurricanes first five-eighth Ihaia West Magpies fans should be happy with a semifinal finish this season. Buckman will head to Japan and West to France after their respective Super Rugby campaigns.