NPC TEAM PREVIEWS HAWKE’S BAY

COACH: BROCK JAMES

CAPTAIN:

BRAD WEBER

WEBSITE: hbmagpies.co.nz

TICKETS: hbmagpies.flicket

PHONE: 06 835 7617

TAB ODDS: $13.00

QUARTER-FINALIST IN 2022: Hawke’s Bay Magpies received a double blow at the hands of Wellington to put an end to their hopes last season. Wellington travelled to Napier and returned home with the Ranfurly Shield to end Hawke's Bay's third-longest Shield reign (14 defences), before beating Hawke’s Bay again in a thrilling NPC quarter-final in the capital.

KEY PLAYERS: There will be no shortage of motivation for halfbacks Brad Weber and Folau Fakatava after they both missed selection in the first All Blacks squad of the season. Pouri Rakete Stones, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Tom Allen, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Devan Flanders and Josh Gimblett are part of a strong forward pack. Lincoln McClutchie, Caleb Makene, Ollie Sapsford, Chase Tiatia, Jonah Lowe, Neria Fomai and Paula Balekana form a dangerous backline.

YOUNG GUNS: The team’s remarkable riches at halfback have increased further with the signing of Auckland and Moana Pasifika player Sam Wye. The province had strong representation in the New Zealand Under-20 World Cup team in South Africa with Cooper Flanders, Harry Godfrey, Hunter Morrison and Tom Allen selected in the touring squad.

SEASON PROSPECTS: The Magpies no longer have the Ranfurly Shield as the new season kicks-off and that will enable the players to focus solely on the NPC. This may well enhance the team’s chances of going further than last year’s quarter-final finish. Head coach Josh Syms resigned a mere 12 weeks before the start of the NPC