RUGBY: Joe sets pace for Magpies

SHANE HURNDELL
Joe Wright knew he had to step up for the Kelt Capital Magpies rugby side yesterday and he did - big time.
"But I didn't think I was going to make it," said the gospel-singing second five-eighth as he reflected on his and the Magpies first Air New Zealand Cup try in the 10th minute of their 51-29 win over Counties-Manukau, at Napier's McLean Park.
Wright, 22, charged down an attempted clearing kick from visiting fullback Koiatu Koiatu and scampered almost 30m to beat the cover defence and dive over in the corner.
That try gave the Magpies and Wright a huge boost as the hosts went on to secure the maximum five competition points and become the first team to top the half-century in the competition this season.
"I was rapt with the team's and my own performance. I had an average game last week and I knew I had to try and step up," he said.
"And with the likes of Justin and Dan back from injury, and Davis not far away, I know I'm going to have to push myself even harder," Wright said, referring to former New Zealand Sevens star Justin Wilson, who replaced him late in the game, former New Zealand under-21 rep Dan Waenga, and last season's regular second five eighth, Davis Norman.
Wright also played a prominent role in the Magpies best try, scored by winger Ryan Glover in the 25th minute. Halfback Danny Lee started a move which replacement first five-eighth Aayden Clarke, Wright and centre Nathan Mauger all played roles in before Glover crashed over.
The Bay backs were given plenty of opportunities because their forwards, well led by captain and lock Lua Lokotui, performed admirably against a bigger pack. Regular loosehead prop Clint Newland deserves heaps of kudos for the way he handled his switch to tighthead, forced by the late withdrawal of Tom Symes with a hamstring injury.
Promising No. 8 Peniasi Tokakece and lock Will Crutchley performed well in their first starting XV appearances at this level. However replacement lock Bryn Evans proved how much he wants his No. 5 jersey back with an awesome performance off the bench, including a 43rd minute try which gave the Magpies their bonus point for four tries.
The Magpies lineout operated well, with four of Counties-Manukau's throws being stolen and just one of their own being lost. The only tighthead in the game was taken by the Bay.
Clarke deserves praise for his contribution to the game after replacing the injured Matt Berquist in the eighth minute. He succeeded with six of his eight attempts at goal, including a couple from out wide.
Eighteen-year-old Magpies fullback Israel Dagg relished his first taste of Air New Zealand Cup play and always beat the first defender.
The Bay went off the boil during the final 15 minutes and let in a couple of soft tries, including a bonus point one for Counties-Manukau in the 77th minutes to New Zealand under-21 winger Lelia Masaga.
But after failing to score any points and conceding 82 points in their first two outings, first-time Air New Zealand Cup captain Lokotui and his troops, along with the 5500 supporters, had every right to switch into party mode.
Masaga was the most dangerous of the Counties-Manukau backs. Super 14 lock Kristian Ormsby had a couple of memorable moments but like his fellow Steelers forwards, would have gone home gutted.