Ili shines as Magpies bounce back in style
Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby centre Stacey Ili summed up the ethos within the squad following today's 31-17 Mitre 10 Cup second round victory against Counties-Manukau at Napier's McLean Park.
Ili produced a player-of-the-match display with numerous line breaks, superb distribution, support play and solid defensive work. But he didn't want to spend too much time discussing his performance and focused more on the overall display of the team.
"That was a good way for the team to bounce back after last weekend's loss to Southland. We were a bit down because we had let our supporters down," Ili explained.
"Our preparation was the difference this week. There was more clarity on what we had to do. We took our learnings on board and put it all together," Ili said.
He pointed out there were still plenty of work ons for the Magpies including reducing the turnovers conceded count and eliminating the loose handling.
"Yes we were carving up but there were still lots of little errors," Ili said.
He agreed his own display was up with his best in the Magpies jersey but just behind his performance in last year's semifinal victory against Otago. All Black halfback Brad Weber, in what may be his last game of the season for the Magpies because of international commitments, pushed Ili close for player-of-the-match honours.
Weber scored two tries and his vision, support lines and distribution couldn't be faulted. Magpies No 8 Devan Flanders was outstanding in his blazer game.
Flanders, captain and hooker Ash Dixon, lock Tom Parsons and openside flanker Brendon O'Connor were all prominent in a pack which had no passengers.
The defensive cohesion of the Magpies backs was top shelf. Their enterprising play on attack was also impressive.
Magpies No8 Devan Flanders.
Magpies winger Lolagi Visinia had a memorable starting XV debut. Powerful on attack and destructive on defence, Visinia, will definitely be an asset to the side to this season.
Visinia's 33rd minute try was a superb team effort. The forwards provided quality ball for the backs, Ili made a spectacular line break before passing to fullback Kurt Baker who sent Visinia in.
As Ili said it is really just little errors the Magpies must fix before taking on Canterbury next weekend. Twelve turnovers conceded in a match played in ideal conditions is a count which needs to be reduced as is the 13 penalties conceded.
First five-eighths Lincoln McClutchie and Caleb Makene still require more work on their goalkicking. They both missed two each and it was because of this the Steelers were still in the hunt until Flanders scored his try.
Openside flanker Dalton Papali'i was the pick of the Steelers players. Centre Luteru Laulala made the most of his limited opportunities.
Match facts:
Heartstopper: Steelers No 8 Samuel Slade's head high tackle on Magpies winger Lolagi Visinia in the 15th minute. Fortunately Visinia wasn't injured as had a cracker of a starting XV debut for the hosts.
Turning point: When Magpies No 8 Devan Flanders scored his 66th minute try to put the hosts ahead 31-17. The Steelers were never going to reel that deficit in.
Player of the match: Magpies centre Stacey Ili. Numerous line breaks, superb distribution, support play and solid defensive work. Magpies halfback Brad Weber was close behind Ili.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 31 (Brad Weber 2, Devan Flanders, Lolagi Visinia, penalty try tries; Lincoln McClutchie 2 cons), Counties-Manukau 17 (Samuel Slade, Kirisi Kuridrani tries; Jason Robertson, Baden Kerr cons; Kerr pen). HT: 26-10.
