• Magpies pivots to clash in feature club rugby game

Magpies pivots to clash in feature club rugby game

Expect a clash between Hawke's Bay Magpies pivots Lincoln McClutchie and Tiaan Falcon to be a highlight of tomorrow's feature sixth round Maddison Trophy premier club rugby match.

McClutchie's Tamatea Rugby and Sports team will take on Falcon's Clive Rugby and Sports side in the main match of Tamatea's club day at Bill Mathewson Park.

Tamatea club chairman Stewart Whyte confirmed McClutchie (pictured above) will start at first five-eighth in a backline which will also include former Bay of Plenty Steamers outside back Dennon Robinson and his brother and New Zealand open men's touch representative Ash Robinson.

"The boys are pumped for this game as they consider Clive as their next whanau club," Whyte explained.

"We're confident we have enough front rowers so we won't have to go to Golden Oldies scrums like last week. With the pressure off in terms of making the semifinals we want to see the boys go out and enjoy their footy in their last two games," Whyte added.

Clive Rugby and Sports manager Dean Hales said the visitors are also pumped for the match. 

"We're definitely not taking a light-hearted approach to this game. We know Tamatea can pull one out of the bag any day of the week."

Clive will again be without Chiefs outside back Jonah Lowe and Hurricanes lock Isaia Walker-Leawere who are in the New Zealand Maori side which will take on Manu Samoa in Wellington tomorrow night. Regular blindside flanker in recent weeks, Karetai Williams, is unavailable with family commitments.

 
 

Falcon and his brother, Jayden Falcon, will play first five-eighth and second five-eighth respectively. With another regular pivot, Tianua Poto (pictured above), starting at fullback Clive won't be short of tactical kicking options.

Hales pointed out the riversiders are building well at the right time of the season and Tiaan Falcon has been influential since linking up with the side three weeks ago following his return from Japan.

"His chat on the field has been awesome. If the other team scores he is so calm and relaxed ... a true professional."

Other games will see Central Rugby and Sports host Napier Old Boys Marist at Waipukurau's Central Park and MAC host Napier Technical at Flaxmere Park.  
The top-of-the-table clash between defending champions Hastings Rugby and Sports and Nash Cup holders Taradale Rugby and Sports which was scheduled to be played at Elwood Park won't be played.  A child of a Hastings player died earlier this week and both teams will share the competition points.