While Veainu won the player-of-the-day award it was an occasion when none of the 5000 spectators would have complained if it was awarded to all 22 players. As the score indicates it was the Magpies best performance of the season.
As Veainu said the forwards did their job. They were well lead by captain Mike Coman, who switched to his former No8 position after Mark Atkins was a late withdrawal with the flu, and Hurricanes hooker Ash Dixon who had his best game of the season for the Magpies.
Halfback Alby Mathewson was another to produce his best display of the season.
"That was our best 80-minute performance of the season as a team. We showed what we could do," Mathewson said.
He pointed out the manner in which the Magpies had the wind advantage for both halves reminded him of his days playing for Wellington.
It was appropriate Magpies prop Brendon Edmonds scored the hosts' sixth try. Although Edmonds only had to play 56 minutes to bring up his 1000 minutes for a Magpies blazer, which he received at the aftermatch function, he played the entire game.
Magpies head coach Craig Philpott promised his troops can be better than they were yesterday.
"It was a good second half but a pretty average first one. In the first half our defence was a bit passive and we had to make our tackle target a bit higher.
"We spoke about that at halftime. We also spoke about being accurate and making sure we finish opportunities and we achieved that."
Openside flanker Brendon O'Connor, with a leg injury, and second five-eighth Andrew Horrell with a back issue were the Magpies only injury concerns after the match. However, it will be a surprise if both aren't named in the 22 for the trip south.
Horrell also had a stint at first five-eighth and impressed with his option taking in both positions. His midfield partner, centre Richard Buckman, was again a rock on defence and dangerous on the burst.
While lock Michael Allardice struggled with a couple of kick off receives in the wind, one of which led to Harbour's only try scored by halfback Bryn Hall, he had the honour of scoring the best team try of the match. Despite the tricky wind, first five-eighth Ihaia West did well to land seven of his nine attempts at goal for an 18-point haul before allowing Horrell and fullback Trinity Spooner-Neera to have an attempt each.
Captain and hooker James Parsons and blindside flanker Jordan Manihera were the pick of the Harbour forwards. All Black midfield back Francis Saili had a couple of memorable bursts in the first half but was shut down by some superb defensive work in the second half.
Former Magpies midfield back Tua Saseve was full of enthusiasm when he took the field for Harbour in the second half but was in defence mode for most of his stint as the likes of Veainu, West and Veainu's 2013 Crusaders teammate and fellow winger Zac Guildford were weaving their magic.
As is tradition for one home game in the season, the Magpies played in their club socks. After yesterday's performance it might pay for Hawke's Bay officials to consider allowing the Magpies to play in their club socks in all home matches and use Magpies socks in away fixtures ... just a thought.
