Midfield bolstered for Magpies

Media Release: Midfield bolstered for Magpies

26 September

Super Rugby players Pita Ahki and Nafi Tuitavake are back from injury for Harbour tomorrow night against Ranfurly Shield holders Hawke’s Bay at QBE Stadium.

Ahki, who missed Wednesday’s upset win over Canterbury, slots into his preferred second five position after fully recovering from a shoulder complaint.

Tuitavake meanwhile hasn’t featured in the ITM Cup since round two where he snapped a ligament in his ankle. Head coach Steve Jackson’s opted to bring the centre in via the bench.

“Pita has been in great form so I’m rapt to have him there. It strengthens our midfield up a bit, and having Nafi on the bench covers both the inside and outside backs so it was a no brainer to pick him.

“Niko [Ratumaitavuki] did a great job for us on Wednesday, the impact he had turned the game for us a bit against Canterbury. So we had to reward him by keeping him on the bench.”

Matt McGahan shifts in one to first five eighth due to a hamstring injury to Dan Halangahu.

Notably the forward pack from Wednesday is unchanged, and Jackson says it’s a testament to their performance against one of the best sides in the ITM Cup.

“It’s reward for their effort. This competition is about taking your opportunities and if you do that and you perform you deserve to be there again.”

Alex Woonton is on standby to start at loosehead prop with Greg Pleasants-Tate battling a hematoma.

Mike Farmer’s also over a shoulder injury and will return from the bench.

Children under the age of 14 will be allowed free access to QBE Stadium tomorrow in what is Harbour’s final home game of the ITM Cup regular season.

In the curtain raiser, Harbour’s 2^nd XV will host Auckland’s 2^nd XV at 5:00pm before a series of Harbour primary school rippa rugby and tackle finals.

Click here to purchase tickets http://tickets.harbourrugby.co.nz/

QBE Harbour v Hawke’s Bay

1. Greg Pleasants Tate/Alex Woonton (Takapuna/North Shore)

2. James Parsons (Takapuna)

3. Nic Mayhew (Northcote)

4. Gerard Tuioti-Mariner (Massey)

5. Hayden Triggs (North Shore)

6. Brandon Nansen (North Shore)

7. Josh Blucher (North Shore)

8. Leigh Thompson (North Shore)

10. Matt McGahan (Silverdale)

11. Tevita Li (Massey)