Rugby: Uncertainty over travel plans

Craig Philpott

The Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team is likely to have a flight or bus ride on Sunday, the day of their ITM Cup Championship semifinal against Otago in Dunedin.

But exactly where from won't be decided until later today. Under normal circumstances the New Zealand Rugby Union doesn't allow teams to fly on game day but Magpies manager Neil Weber said last night a game-day flight is still a possibility for his troops in the wake of Otago's 37-33 win against Auckland in Dunedin yesterday which secured the Razorbacks the No2 ranking for the semifinals and shoved the Magpies back into the third spot.

The reason for the uncertainty?

A certain dead rubber Bledisloe Cup test match between the All Blacks and Wallabies in Dunedin on Saturday night. The Forsyth Barr Stadium test has attracted a sellout crowd of almost 30,000 which means there is no accommodation available in Dunedin on Saturday night to cater for the Magpies' travelling party of 30.

Magpies head coach Craig Philpott said the chances of the Magpies flying to Dunedin on Saturday and then busing to either Oamaru or Gore for their over night accommodation was high.

"I've got no problem with our team having an hour long bus ride on game day under these circumstances," Philpott said.

"I had a feeling Otago would get up for a win against Auckland whose motivation was pretty low.

"Auckland didn't play much rugby ... I was kind of expecting an Otago win, Philpott said.

He agreed the circumstances surrounding the Magpies' semifinal is similar to when the Magpies travelled to Dunedin and won the Ranfurly Shield with a 20-19 win against the Razorbacks six weeks ago. The Magpies will have a week to prepare for the match.

While Philpott will announce his team after training on Wednesday he won't make it public until Saturday morning. Second five-eighth Andrew Horrell, who left the field with a leg injury during last Thursday night's 35-24 win against the Wellington Lions at McLean Park, is Philpott's only injury concern.

Horrell is likely to be given until Friday to prove his fitness.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union's commercial manager Jay Campbell is naturally disappointed the Magpies won't be hosting a semifinal. However he pointed out if the Magpies won their semifinal and top qualifiers Tasman lost their's McLean Park would host the final on October 25.

Tasman will host Southland in the other semifinal on Saturday. Premiership semifinals will see Wellington host Counties-Manukau on Friday and Canterbury host Auckland on Saturday.