• NOBM ready for Spillane Cup retention mission

NOBM ready for Spillane Cup retention mission

It will be a youthful Napier Old Boys Marist side that will attempt to retain the Spillane Cup at this weekend's 90th annual New Zealand Marist rugby tournament in Taupo. 

"But we're still going there with the goal of winning the cup at an event we are treating like a pre-season camp," new coach and former Magpies halfback Ellery Wilson said.

His troops will open their campaign with a 3pm match against Hutt Old Boys Marist at Owen Delaney Park on Saturday.

While talented loosie Hannon Brighouse has returned to the Green Machine after a season with the Napier Technical club he is unavailable this weekend. Fellow loosie Ricky Hayes (pictured above, photo Chris Kiely) was outstanding in last weekend's 20-14 pre-season win against Palmerston North Old Boys and Wilson will use Hayes in the openside flanker role this weekend.

Wilson has high hopes for former St John's College hooker Reilly Hannon who has been mentored in the club's colts side in previous seasons. Another product of the club's colts side, Paul Lapa, is another youngster tipped to shine by Wilson.

Experienced midfield back Paul Bickle has returned from a season with the MAC club last year and he will have a key role this weekend.

The other Hawke's Bay side, Maddison Trophy holders Hastings Rugby and Sports, will open their Spillane Cup campaign with a 1.30pm clash against Hamilton Marist on Saturday.

Hastings manager James Rosenberg said several players were missing with Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay Academy team commitments last weekend when they were beaten 43-21 by Petone last weekend.

 
 

However Rosenberg (pictured above right with prop Jason Long) is expecting a stronger squad to travel to Taupo with the aim of tasting Spillane Cup glory. Hurricanes midfield back Danny Toala is likely to be available along with Hurricanes B halfback Connor McLeod.

Initially Rosenberg was concerned about the lack of frontrowers after Angus McGuire was ruled out with concussion.

But experienced Magpie Long, Denis Tapusoa and promising former Hastings Boys' High School prop Tini Nu'u should see the scrum well served. Lock Jesse Lesa-Sipaia and No 8 Eugene Sandilands are others capable of providing plenty of grunt to the pack.

Along with Toala, Ausage Fomai and HBHS old boy Andrew Hayward, gave the potential to be lethal midfield attackers.

Rosenberg pointed out the coaching staff has stressed to their troops the need to shake off any hint of complacency which may come with being the Maddison Trophy holders.

"We want to try and build with each outing and develop a winning habit."

Sunday's final is scheduled for 1.30pm and the playoff for third at noon.