Hawke's Bay resist changes

1.00pm

Hawke's Bay rugby coach Kieran Keane has resisted the temptation to make several changes to his team for Sunday's NPC second division semifinal against Counties-Manukau at McLean Park.

His only change to the starting 15 who lost 34-32 to Nelson Bays last Saturday sees experienced second five-eighth and last year's NPC division two player-of-the-year Davis Norman replace Karl Broughton.

Norman was unavailable for the Nelson Bays match.

"I was tempted to make some changes. But I took a couple of breaths and had a couple of sleeps before deciding a semifinal was not the time to experiment," Keane said after the team's training session in Hastings last night.

Apart from left winger, Fijian sevens star Nasoni Rokobiau, the Magpies starting 15 will be the same side who took the field in their Bay's 49-26 win over Counties-Manukau a fortnight ago.

Rokobiau missed that game as he was at home in Fiji and was replaced by former New Zealand sevens player Donovan Nepia, who has missed the squad of 22 for Sunday.

Keane has made two changes to his reserves used in Nelson with Broughton replacing Aayden Clarke and Jacob Kennedy replacing Nepia. Kennedy has spent the past three weeks recovering from a hamstring injury.

Hawke's Bay: Cory Jane, Karl Mudzamba, Cory Aporo, Nasoni Rokobiau, Davis Norman, Eddie Hekenui, Chad Shepherd, Mutu Ngarimu, Nui Bartlett, Rob Evans, Lua Lokotui, Michael Johnson (captain), Tom Symes, Danny Logan, Clint Newland.

Substitutes: Johnny Galo, Reyno Botha, Bryn Evans, Pama Petia, Amos Ioasa, Karl Broughton, Jacob Kennedy.

Counties-Manukau: Richard Koroi, Julian Vulakoru, Mark Lawson, Koiatu Koiatu, Niva Ta'auso, Troy Nathan; Kevin Farrell (captain); Sisa Koyamaibole; James Maher, Aaron Enoka, Apensa Naevo, Taiasina Tuifua; Tau Fainga'anuku, Mark Price, James Carew.

Substitutes: Koli Latailakepa, Paul Urlich, Anthony Jakeman, Waka Seititaia, Gavin Donald, Moea Niha, Opeta Lafotasi.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY

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