"A win will put us back in contention for a semifinal berth. We're also keen to score four tries ... we have yet to do that this season and that's unusual for us," Murphy said.
The Hastings Boys' High School product made his debut for the villagers midway through the 2012 season after a season-and-a-half with Hastings Rugby and Sports. At that time Tivaini Fomai had a monopoly on the No7 jersey at the Elwood Park-based club.
"The move wasn't just about game time. It was about the players I could learn off, the culture and Havelock North's winning way. Here the coaches strive to make you a better player and there were the likes of Adam Bradey, Tony Lamborn and Gareth [Evans] who I could learn off," Murphy recalled.
A 2014 Maddison Trophy winner's medal recipient, Murphy, has represented the Bay at under-13, 16, 18 (twice) and 20 levels. He scored the match-winning try when Hawke's Bay pipped Wellington 18-17 to win the Hurricanes under-20 title in Palmerston North in 2012.
With this background some may find it hard to believe he isn't in the Magpies wider training group this year.
"There are a lot of good No7s in club rugby at the moment with the likes of Ben Hamelink at Hastings, Kaleb Whakataka at Taradale and Matt Gardiner at NOBM. Work is also a priority for me at the moment and we're doing 12-hour days four days a week plus some. I've got age on my side and the opportunity may come in the future," the Heinz Wattie's team leader said.
Should Murphy gain higher honours in the future he will have some international experience to call upon. During the 2013-14 northern hemisphere winter he played for Huntingdon in the Midlands One competition in England before having a stint at the Cambridge club where he played alongside former All Black Craig Newby.
"Playing over there made you appreciate New Zealand rugby which is easier to read and has more flair. Over there it is just a slog with both teams waiting for the other to make a mistake," Murphy explained.
He ranked Fomai as the toughest flanker he has marked in Hawke's Bay club play. New All Black flanker Ardie Savea, Hurricanes loosie Vaea Fifita and Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape who was a flanker in his younger days are the hardest players Murphy has played against at age group rep level.
With Evans on deck expect the villagers to upset their hosts with a three-point win. Like Havelock North who will be missing suspended veteran loosie Luke Ottley, MAC, will be eager to return to form after their disappointing performance last week.
In other games Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports should win the feature match of their 130th anniversary and club day celebrations by at least six when they host Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical at Tamatea Park, Carters Frame and Truss Taradale should beat Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports at Tareha Reserve by six without the services of suspended in-form flanker Kaleb Whakataka, HBI Insurances Napier Old Boys Marist are capable of beating Northfuels Central by 13 at Waipukurau's Central Park and K9 Petfoods Clive should beat Tamatea by 11 at Farndon Park.
