Rugby: Shoemark still retains top timing on return

Scott Wielinga (right) welcomes Jason Shoemark. Photo/Glenn Taylor

During his first stint with the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby side, midfield back Jason Shoemark had a reputation for precise timing on and off the field.

Carters Frame and Truss Taradale stalwarts were last night toasting the former Magpies captain's timing at their weekly Handle Club night. The previous day Shoemark arrived in the Bay in time to train with Taradale and be named in the starting XV for today's fifth round Tui Maddison Trophy top-of-the-table clash against Progressive Meats Havelock North at Anderson Park.

"I arrived in town at 3pm and I'm told I'm starting at 12 because Billy is injured," Shoemark said referring to Billy Ropiha.

"Talk about straight into the rough stuff but it's a good clash to start with."

It will be Shoemark's first outing since playing for the Barbarians against Ireland in Britain in April when contracted to the Exeter Chiefs. Before leaving the Bay in 2010, after scoring 100 points in 53 first class games for the Magpies, Shoemark, 33, promised he would be back.

"That was always the plan. We enjoyed our five years here and we're keen to build a house. First, we've got to find a section," the father-of-three said.

Shoemark repeated what Magpies assistant coach Danny Lee stated when announcing Shoemark's signing in February.

"I haven't just come back to offer experience and guidance to the younger players in the Magpies. Obviously the Magpies midfield is stacked with talent with the likes of Andrew Horrell and Richard Buckman. My job is to keep them on their toes, work hard and push for a position. This will help make the team better."

Among the Taradale contingent to welcome Shoemark on Thursday night was lock Scott Wielinga, the 11th player from the unbeaten Mighty Maroons to be named in the Magpies wider training group this season. The Gisborne Boys' High School product has two Maddison Trophy winner's medals from 2007 and '09 and is optimistic about the chances of collecting a third this season.

He is equally as confident about Taradale's chances of beating Havelock North today and knows top displays between now and the end of the club season will enhance his chances of some pre-season appearances for the Magpies. Wielinga, 27, is enjoying being back in the Bay after two seasons with the Brisbane East club and another in Vancouver.

Havelock North may miss the services of Hurricanes wider training group prop Brendon Edmonds today. Edmonds has been bracketed for a berth on the Canes subs bench for tonight's match against the Crusaders in the capital.

The villagers forward pack may struggle for parity with the Taradale pack if Edmonds is unable to play for the hosts. Havelock North will otherwise be at full strength.

It will be interesting to see if the villagers loosies restrict the freedom of Taradale's Magpies halfback and former Havelock player Chris Eaton who ruled the fringes when the Challenge Trophy holders walloped the villagers 37-15 in their Nash Cup encounter.

One of Shoemark's Magpies teammates, Matt Berquist, will also make his first Bay club rugby appearance of the season today.

He will start at fullback for Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist against Clive at Farndon Park.

Other games will see Tamatea host defending champions Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical at Bill Mathewson Park, MAC host Northfuels Central in the feature match of their club day at Flaxmere Park and Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports take on IMS Payroll Hastings Rugby and Sports at Tamatea Park.