Rugby: Match fitness vital

Magpies winger Penikolo Latu. Photo / File

Taranaki 23 Magpies 10

New Plymouth

Here's something for Hawke's Bay Rugby Union officials to ponder in the wake of the Magpies loss in New Plymouth last night.

Perhaps it's time for the union to have a Development team again. Hawke's Bay hasn't had one since 2010 but with the near-capacity crowd at last weekend's Ranfurly Shield defence against Counties-Manukau the union should have enough money to field a development team next season. This will enable the Magpies second and third stringers to have valuable game time so if they are called upon for cup duty they will be match fit.

While there is no doubt there is depth in the Magpies squad the second and, in some cases, third stringers obviously lacked the necessary matchplay going into last night's encounter played in front of 4835 fans in atrocious conditions at Yarrow Stadium.

Should ITM Cup teams continue to have three games within eight or nine days at least twice a season, as is the case for the Magpies this year, a development team will prove extremely beneficial. More so if their coaches adopt similar structures and game plans to the Magpies side.

The Magpies played into a strong wind in the first half. It was so strong they turned down three penalty attempts at goal from within the 40-metre mark. Taranaki opened the scoring with a penalty from 28 metres out to centre Andre Taylor in the 13th minute.

French first five-eighth Regis Lespinas, in his first ITM Cup start for the Magpies this season, kicked an equalising penalty two minutes later from a handy position. The Magpies' defence was solid until the 35th minute when the hosts halfback Jamison Gibson-Park scored after a solo dab from a scrum. Taylor added the conversion and had the hosts ahead 13-3 at halftime after a 43rd-minute penalty.

With Taranaki prop Ryan Cocker sinbinned in the 39th minute the Magpies didn't lack hope as they started the second half with the strong wind at their backs. However it was Taranaki who opened the scoring with another penalty from Taylor.

Any hope the Magpies had of a late comeback were dashed when Taranaki second five-eighth Ope Peleseuma scored a 70th-minute try which Taylor converted to put the hosts ahead 23-3.

Despite 10 changes to the starting XV used in the loss to the Steelers the Magpies certainly couldn't blame a lack of trying for their loss. They displayed plenty of heart and a never-say-die attitude and were rewarded for their efforts when busy No 8 Mark Atkins, in his home province, scored in the 79th minute.

Lespinas converted for a 100 per cent success rate at goal.

Hooker Ash Dixon was the Magpies' best on the night and Atkins wasn't far behind him. Lock Johan Schoonbee did some awesome work at lineout time and it was a surprise he was replaced in the third quarter.

Centre Richard Buckman had another strong game. Again, he was like another loose forward at the breakdown forcing several turnovers.

He was powerful on the burst and solid on defence.

The Magpies will again be disappointed with their missed-tackle count, at least 19.