His side takes on Appmed House Port Hill United at Marewa Park today. The centre back said Napier Marist had the upper hand when the two teams met in a pre-season fixture and he was confident the visitors would repeat the feat today.
"We always go and play strong against them as it's an inter-city derby a bit like when Jarvy's boys play Taradale," he said.
Tia has always played the round ball code and pointed out Jarvy's attempts to lure him to the oval ball code failed.
He had plenty of ammunition when asked what the differences between the brothers were.
"I'm the one with the gift of the gab. Jarvy is a typical frontrower who just puts his head down and goes. There's a bit more logic going through my head but I still beat him at arm wrestling ... it's my natural strength," Tia said.
"Jarvy was a late bloomer when it came to relationships. He was a bit awkward but he came right ... he finished third in a men's modelling competition at the Bluewater and there's a photo on the wall to prove it," added the Mogul graphic designer.
Jarvy, who is in his second year as captain and fifth with NOBM, agreed Tia was more lighthearted and cheeky than him.
He expects a tough battle when his lads try to spoil Progressive Meats Havelock North's club day celebrations at Anderson Park today. "I remember the last time we won out there. It was my 50th match for the team and the 2013 Maddison Trophy semifinal," Jarvy recalled.
He has heard talk suggesting NOBM have the necessary depth to taste Maddison Trophy and Nash Cup glory this season.
"We had a four-game pre-season programme and collected a few injuries. But I'm confident because we now have players coming back from injury and that hiccup against Pirates gave us a few things to work on," Jarvy said.
The tighthead prop had a stint off the bench for the Hurricanes Development team in a loss to their Crusaders counterparts this year and he said he learned a lot during a couple of scrums against All Black Joe Moody. A Magpies wider training group member, Jarvy is eyeing selection for the three Ranfurly Shield defences against Heartland Championship teams and later in the season a berth in the ITM Cup squad.
Other fourth-round Nash Cup fixtures today will see unbeaten leaders and defending champions Carters Frame and Truss Taradale host Tamatea, MAC host Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports at Flaxmere Park, Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports host Tech Group of Companies Napier Technical at Tamatea Park and Northfuels Central host K9 Petfoods Clive at Central Park.
Other ComputerCare Pacific Premiership football matches will see Western Rangers take on Promotem Napier City at St Leonards Park and Taradale will host Big Barrel Havelock North at Taradale Park.
