• Magpies capture Ranfurly Shield in Dunedin

Magpies capture Ranfurly Shield in Dunedin

Happy 100th Ash!


Yes the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team gave captain and hooker Ash Dixon a memorable 100th appearance for the side when they took the Ranfurly Shield off Otago with a 28-9 victory at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.


"There are so many emotions going through me at the moment. But I'm so happy for Ash. Too see the boys do the haka for him was pretty special," delighted Magpies coach Mark Ozich said after his troops completed a rendition of popular Ngati Kahungunu haka Tika Tonu for Maori All Black captain Dixon.


Ozich agreed while winning the shield for the first time since he has been head coach was pleasing equally as crucial was taking the lead in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship and securing the maximum five competition points from the fourth round battle.



"We lost our way in the first half when we weren't accurate enough and conceded too many penalties. But in the second half we were more accurate and direct and scored some good tries," Ozich explained.


Winger Jonah Lowe, who was concussed with some foul play from Otago flanker Slade McDowall in the 71st minute, is the Magpies only injury concern after the challenge.


Twenty-year-old Magpies and Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava was the visitors player-of-the-match with a quality 70 minutes including a crucial try.

"I give credit to the boys for giving me the space to play," Fakatava said afterwards.


He pointed out playing against another of the Highlanders halfbacks, Kayne Hammington, was a big motivator for him.


"I'm quite young and don't really know what the shield means but I'm sure I'm about to find out," Fakatava said as he entered a jubilant changing room.

Hawkes Bay celebrate the Ranfurly Shield win from Otago during the Mitre 10 Cup at ther Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday. PHOTO PETER MCINTOSH


Dixon had every right to praise his team's ticker. Their defensive work was superb as they kept the hosts tryless.


As expected the Magpies depth proved the difference between the two teams. Quality impact from all of the subs was a key factor in the convincing win.
Fakatava's deputy, Connor McLeod, made his debut for the Magpies against his former team. 


The Magpies have an away match against North Harbour this Saturday and their first shield defence will be against Northland on October 16.  

Ash Dixon of Hawkes Bay celebrate's with the Ranfurly Shield win from Otago during the Mitre 10 Cup at ther Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday. PHOTO PETER MCINTOSH

Match highlights:
Heartstopper: When Magpies halfback Folau Fakatava was penalised in the 19th minute for stealing the ball from the back of the scrum. It was a wrong call but fortunately it didn't have an impact on the game. 

Turning point: When Magpies substitute lock Isaia Walker-Leawere scored his try in the 64th minute t give the visitors a 21-9 lead. Otago were never going to recover from this deficit.

Player of the match: Fakatava. A classy 70 minutes including a crucial solo try in which he beat four defenders when he opted for a quick tap at a 50th minute penalty.

Scorers: Hawke's Bay 28 (Lolagi Visinia, Folau Fakatava, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Kurt Baker tries; Lincoln McClutchie 2, Caleb Makene 2 cons), Otago 9 (Josh Ioane 3 pens). HT: 7-6.