Forster rates Magpies as better bet

By CHRIS RATTUE

Hawkes Bay captain Stu Forster hopes the injury toll and a winning confidence will be areas where his side have a slight edge in their promotion-relegation clash against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Sunday.

Hawkes Bay were unbeaten in eight regular season games before winning the NPC second-division title with a semifinal victory over Manawatu, and grand final triumph over East Coast in Napier on Sunday.

And during that 10-game winning streak, starting second five-eighths Davis Norman was the only major casualty.

"I haven't seen the Bay team for Sunday, but they've had quite a few injuries and been playing without people like Dallas Seymour and Jason Chandler. We've been able to keep our squad together," said Forster, the former All Black halfback.

"Bay of Plenty had a good start to the year with that win over Wellington, but they've had a run of losses. Maybe we've got a bit more confidence than they have because of that.

"I suppose we won't really know if we can make up the gap between the divisions until we get on the field, but I don't think there's a huge difference between the sides. On our day we can win it.

"It was disappointing giving up the three late tries to East Coast but then again, it means we won't be over confident."

Bay of Plenty beat Hawkes Bay 19-8 when they met in the second division at Tauranga last year, although both sides are significantly altered since then.

Bay of Plenty have more in common with Hawkes Bay than they do with many of the first-division opponents they faced this year.

Almost all the side hold down full-time jobs, and Forster, who works for the Hawkes Bay union, and all his team mates are also employed.

Hawkes Bay train just two times a week - something Forster enjoys - as opposed to the full-time training of the professionals.

"I think it helps you stay fresh and keep the enjoyment," said Forster, who returned to the Bay after a fine career with Otago and then in Europe.

"In England and Ireland, and in the NPC and Super 12, you have players training every day. I think it probably gets too monotonous.

"You get lethargic and you can get tired of seeing the same people every day."

Hawkes Bay have one official overseas import this year - South African first five-eighths Mariel Kriel, who has played for the Natal under-21s and in South African Colts trials.

The 22-year-old Kriel is apparently keen to continue playing for Hawkes Bay next year, as is loose forward Erik van der Merwe, the Hawkes Bay vice-captain, who is from the Cats franchise area.

Forster said that if Hawkes Bay could win Sunday's game and promotion, the union would have to import about six players to be competitive in the first division.

But while the Pahiatua-born Forster has returned to live in the Hawkes Bay and turn out for the union he started with in the late 1980s, he is unsure about playing another season.

Hawkes Bay hope more than 500 supporters will make the trip to Rotorua.