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Hawke's Bay v Counties, 7:35pm in Napier
Last Clash: Hawke's Bay beat Counties 45-14 in Pukekohe (Rd 7, 2008)
TAB: Hawke's Bay $1.05, Counties $.800
The high-flying Magpies are on track for a third consecutive playoff berth after an exhilarating last minute try over Bay of Plenty last Friday.
Their fourth straight win has elevated them into second place on the competition ladder and, in the final wash-up, coach Peter Russell may reflect on the star-turn between Israel Dagg and Zac Guilford as the pivotal moment in their season.
It was a watershed moment for a side that deserves all its plaudits. A hard-working eight, with a loose-forward trio that is the envy of most, is the platform for the Dagg's and Guilford's to prosper.
Next weeks huge top-of-the-table home clash against Canterbury will already be lurching in the back of their minds but they first have the not so small task of a courageous Counties-Manakau to take care of.
Counties showed last week, against a complacent Canterbury outfit, that they will not roll over easily. Their hard-fought 17-28 defeat was once again a glowing advertisement to retain the 14-team format. Here was the last placed team playing the runaway favourites yet at no stage did this clash look like a mismatch.
This week they lose Taseva Lavea to a persistent ankle injury while Hawke's Bay have made two changes with Mark Jackman coming on to the wing and Ash Dixon rotating with Hika Elliot in the hooking slot.
Key: The danger here for Hawke's Bay is that they don't look too far ahead. They may want to make a statement against Canterbury next week but the old adage of 'one week at a time' should never ring so true.
Tip: Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay: Israel Dagg, Mark Jackman, Jason Shoemark,
Andrew Horrell, Zac Guildford, Matt Berquist, Chris Eaton, Thomas
Waldrom, Karl Lowe, George Naoupu, Ross Kennedy, Michael Johnson,
Clint Newland, Ash Dixon, Sona Taumalolo.
Reserves: Hika Elliot, Josh Keys, Matt Egan, Adam Bradey, Dane
Shelford, Richard Buckman, Nick Thomson.
Counties: Tim Nanai-Williams/Ahsee Tuala, David Raikuna,
Siale Piutau (captain), Dean Cummins/Tim Nanai-Williams, Sherwin
Stowers, Josh Hall, Samisoni Fisilau/Notise Tauafao, Waka Setitaia,
Mark Selwyn, DJ Forbes, Rees Logan, Jamie Chipman, Tuaefe Palelei,
Matt Holloway, Simon Lemalu.
Reserves: Ilaisa Maasi, Graham Dewes, Alepini Olosoni, Fritz Lee,
Notise Tauafao/August Pulu, Ahsee Tuala, Jason Roache.
