Late replacement shines as Magpies retain shield
Talk about making the most of a late call up ... Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby winger Neria Fomai certainly did tonight.
Fomai only found out he was starting in tonight's 33-17 Ranfurly Shield defence victory at Napier's McLean Park when Jonah Lowe withdrew with a stiff neck collected at yesterday's Captain's Run. Fomai scored a 44th minute try to spark an impressive second half from the hosts who in addition to retaining the shield secured the maximum five competition points in the Mitre 10 Cup sixth round clash played in front of 8,500 fans.
Fomai, 28, took his tally to four tries in two outings against the Taniwha after scoring a hattrick on debut in Whangarei last year.
"That was my first game on the left wing for the Bay too. I prefer centre but I don't mind covering the right wing as was the case last year," an elated Fomai explained afterwards.
"It was good to run off the boys ... we have some gifted players. Obviously the goal is to remain in the starting XV now but it's tough when there is so much depth," Fomai added.
Both Magpies head coach Mark Ozich and captain Ash Dixon agreed their first half was scratchy.
"We were inaccurate and overplayed our hand. The unstructured football favoured Northland. Our control was better in the second half," Ozich explained.
"There is still more to come from the side," Ozich added.
His Magpies led 9-3 at halftime after successful penalty attempts from first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie in the 16th, 28th and 39th minutes. Northland's only reply was a 20th minute penalty to first five-eighth Dan Hawkins.
McClutchie finished the game with five successes from seven attempts and some enterprising general play. In addition to Fomai in-form Dixon, substitute midfielder Danny Toala and No 8 Devan Flanders scored for the hosts in the second half.
It was appropriate Flanders should score the final try as he was the player-of-the-match. Powerful on the carry, Flanders was also destructive on defence and full of authority at the breakdown.
Fellow loosies Brendon O'Connor and Marino Mikaele-Tu'u were also prominent in the cohesive host pack. Centre Stacey Ili had another outstanding display in a backline well served by halfback Folau Fakatava.
Blues halfback Sam Nock and former All Black outside back Rene Ranger were the best of the Northland backs. Blindside flanker Tom Robinson was inspirational in the Taniwha pack.
Match facts:
Heartstopper: When none of three Magpies backs caught a pass from halfback Folau Fakatava which went dead in the second minute. The hosts were fortunate the Taniwha didn't capitalise on their attacking five metre scrum.
Turning point: When Magpies substitute back Danny Toala scored in te 65th minute to give the hosts a 28-10 lead. The Taniwha were never going to recover from this deficit.
Player of the match: Magpies No 8 Devan Flanders. A massive workrate including a well deserved 73rd minute try which secured the bonus point for four tries or more.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 33 (Neria Fomai, Ash Dixon, Danny Toala, Devan Flanders tries; Lincoln McClutchie 3 pens, 2 cons), Northland 17 (Luatangi Li 2 tries; Dan Hawkins 2 cons, pen). HT: 9-3.
