Magpies prop defies odds again
When it comes to defying the odds in the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby squad nobody does it better than prop Namatahi Waa.
Last year the former Maori All Black and Blues Super player returned to rugby after two years earlier having doubts about his playing future after a serious neck injury. Tomorrow Waa, 30, will start for the Magpies in the eighth round Mitre 10 Cup Crossover clash against Bay of Plenty at Tauranga Domain despite not having played since turning out for his Taradale club on August 8 because of complicated appendix surgery.
"It was back when we started fulltime training with the Magpies in August. We were in camp and I felt a bit of pain in my gut. I thought I had a crook gut but I was bedridden with appendicitis and had to go under the knife," Waa recalled.
"Three days later I was released from hospital. But two days later I had a high temperature and was vomiting. There was blood clotting ... things had become septic and there was a cyst," Waa explained.
"I know there was talk I wouldn't play again this season. But the Covid-19 pandemic worked in my favour with the later Mitre 10 Cup. It was always in the back of my mind I could make it ... I had extra time to give the body the all clear and get back into contact," Waa said.
"You can't keep me off the field."
The Te Aute College old boy and father-of-two is aiming for 30 minutes against the Steamers.
"That's depending on how everything goes. That's the idea of me starting too ... at least I can be replaced if it doesn't work rather than coming on for the last 30 and getting injured," Waa explained.
"Obviously it's taking me a while to get used to the maps. I'm still studying them to get more clarity," Waa said referring to the Magpies game plans earlier this week.
Like his teammates, Waa, is expecting a tough physical battle against the Steamers who beat the Magpies 51-24 at the same venue last year.
Their tails will be up after their 44-8 win against Canterbury last week," Waa said.
While he hopes to return to Super Rugby in the future, Waa, is realistic and pointed out if it doesn't happen this year he will have a big off season and get fitter and stronger before returning to club rugby with Taradale.
Magpies head coach Mark Ozich (pictured below) agreed Waa had defied the odds for the second consecutive season in the battle for Magpies minutes.
"While we were hopeful, because of what he had been through we didn't expect to see him take the field this season. But we're super stoked he has become available because he is a quality player and a quality guy."
"Because we haven't got a development team this season and he hasn't played for so long we know the first half will be more than enough for his legs," Ozich said.
Waa's replacing of clubmate Joe Apikotoa is one of eight changes to the starting XV used in last weekend's win against Manawatu. Five changes have also been made to the subs bench.
"While there is a little bit of rotation we are going there to win. At the same time the guys need to be managed," Ozich explained.
In an interesting switch in-form winger Neria Fomai has replaced his Hastings Rugby and Sports clubmate Danny Toala at second five-eighth.
"Bubba [Fomai's nickname] has been attacking well. He wants to be a midfielder and he has an opportunity to play there. He is 28 and experienced enough to cope with the physicality of the Bay of Plenty team," Ozich said.
Former All Black lock Bryn Evans and Maori All Black lock Isaia Walker-Leawere will replace the in-form pair of Tom Parsons and Geoff Cridge. Walker-Leawere has been devastating off the bench to date.
Ozich pointed out Evans has been training well and deserves a second opportunity as part of the internal competition within the squad. He added Cridge and Parsons, like openside flanker Brendon O'Connor have had a lot of minutes and deserve rests or reduced workloads as is the case for Parsons.
Other changes to the starting XV see former All Black loosie Gareth Evans replace O'Connor, Caleb Makene replace Lincoln McClutchie at first five-eighth, Jonah Lowe replace Fomai on the left wing and Kurt Baker replace Makene at fullback. Changes to the bench see former Tonga and Chiefs prop Sona Taumalolo replace Jason Long, Parsons replace Walker-Leawere, Solomone Funaki replace Gareth Evans, McClutchie replace Lowe and Toala replace Baker.
The full Magpies team for tomorrow's 2.05pm match:
Kurt Baker, Lolagi Visinia, Stacey Ili, Neria Fomai, Jonah Lowe, Caleb Makene, Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Gareth Evans, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Bryn Evans, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Namatahi Waa, Ash Dixon (captain), Pouri Rakete-Stones. Substitutes: Forwards, Kianu Kereru-Symes (vice-captain), Sona Taumalolo, Joel Hintz, Tom Parsons, Solomone Funaki. Backs, Connor McLeod, Lincoln McClutchie, Danny Toala
