Magpies back shining youngster

Talented teenager Colin Bourke will start at fullback for Hawkes Bay in tomorrow's second division NPC final against Nelson Bays at Napier's McLean Park.

Bourke, who turned 19 last week, replaces Tim Manawatu in the starting line-up after a strong second-half in both general play and goalkicking in last weekend's semifinal win against North Otago.

In 13 appearances for the Magpies this season, Bourke has scored 106 points and has played wing, centre, fullback and loose forward.

Last year he played for New Zealand Secondary Schools as a loose forward.

Magpies coach Kieran Keane said the decision to replace Manawatu with Bourke was form related.

Manawatu, the Magpies' top scorer in the NPC with 99 points, did not have a memorable first half in last weekend's 24-18 win against North Otago.

This is the only change Keane has made to his starting 15.

Manawatu will know on Saturday whether he has a berth on the bench, where he has been bracketed with New Zealand Sevens star Amasio Valence for the berth Bourke had last weekend.

In the only other reserves change Keane has made, former New Zealand Colts lock Mark Atkinson replaces utility Nui Bartlett.

Keane said Atkinson's experience and the fact both substitute hooker Johnny Galo and blindside flanker Michael Johnson can both play openside flanker were the key factors in Atkinson's selection.

Hawkes Bay have trained well this week, and Keane said his troops knew a repeat of the form displayed in the shaky semifinal win would not be good enough for the final.

Meanwhile, Nelson Bays coach Balie Swart has stuck with his winning team for Saturday's NPC second division rugby final against Hawke's Bay in Napier.

Swart has named the same starting lineup from last Sunday's 41-36 home semifinal win over Counties-Manukau, although flanker Callum Taylor is causing some concern after injuring his shoulder in the opening minute of that match.

Francis Meredith has been called into the squad as cover, with Swart giving Taylor every chance to prove his fitness for the final.

Nelson Bays head into the clash as firm underdogs after suffering a 14-40 loss to Hawkes Bay in their fifth round match.

But the team have made significant improvement since then, including impressive wins over both North Otago and Counties.

- NZPA