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If that was Brad Weber’s final act for Hawke’s Bay Magpies in 2020, it was a quality signing.
The All Blacks running back, who will head to camp with Ian Foster’s Bledisloe Cup team next week, produced an influential and typically crisp display to guide Hawke’s Bay to a 31-17 rebound victory over Counties Manukau in McLean Park in Napier on Sunday.
Weber crossed for a couple of attempts in the first half and had a crisp match in all respects as he sent a clear signal to the All Blacks coaches that he is ready for whatever action may need him in the upcoming Bledisloe Cup engagements. and the Rugby Championship.
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Brad Weber scored two attempts in the first half to propel Hawke’s Bay past Counties-Manukau on Sunday.
It remains to be seen what that could be, with Weber in third place on the national midfield depth chart, but if Foster needs some speed in the park, quick punts, and a number 9 running outstanding support lines, then it seems . Well served in the form of a magpie medium.
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Most importantly, in terms of the task at hand, Weber led the Magpies to a crucial first win of the season at the Miter 10 Cup Championship after having started with that failure against the Stags at Invercargill over the end. last week. Their sharpness and finish were a vital ingredient in a standout first 40 at Hawke’s Bay, as they charged to a 26-10 lead, then held onto a second half that yielded only one down each.
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Hawke’s Bay’s Lolagi Visinia is tackled high by Counties Manukau’s Samuel Slade, earning him a yellow card.
It was a much better effort from the Magpies, as they scored five attempts against two to rack up the maximum of five competition points. Center Stacey Ili was unstoppable in an outstanding first 40, winger Lolagi Visinia looked wide open, Kurt Baker was strong at the rear, and forwards Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Brendon O’Connor and captain Ash Dixon led the way. load while the house forward placed on a solid foundation.
Hawke’s Bay faded a bit after halftime, with only one second-half attempt for Devan Flanders ‘No. 8, but he would have been happy enough to keep the Steelers’ challenge at bay.
The counties, who suffered a second straight loss for the new season, did little good in the first half, but stepped up their game in the second spell when they briefly threatened a comeback when number 8 Sam Slade beat out in the 65th minute to get them. within nine. All Blacks Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papalii, who left the field twice for HIA testing, showed touches of their class for the Steelers, while Luteru Laulala and Kiris Kuridrani were their most likely runners.
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Captain Ash Dixon helps in the celebrations of another Brad Weber attempt as the Magpies entertained their local crowd in Napier.
The Magpies had the bonus point in the bag and a dominant 26-10 lead, after a one-sided first half in which two players from the counties received yellow cards, the home team ran on four attempts and the Steelers let it go. for the last. minute to save some of the opening stanza.
Weber had two of the magpies’ attempts, both courtesy of prominent support lines. The first came early, when midfielder Ili, who had a top 40, did all the hard work and placed his No. 9 with an excellent one-handed shot; and the second in the 32nd minute when Baker punished a missed touch-finder with a violent run and a perfect entry pass and Weber could barely stretch into the corner.
The counties cause was not helped by a pair of yellow cards in no time, number 8 Sam Slade sent in the 14th minute for a high blow to Magpies Visinia’s wing and blocked Mickey Woolliams from following him nine minutes later when he threw towards down in a lineout. he was on the goal line, and coughed up a penalty try in the process.
The Magpies’ other score for the half was a quality matter in the 33rd minute from former Auckland wing Visinia, back in New Zealand after a season in France, when that man Ili again broke up with a lineup move. well worked, Baker appeared. since the link and the large wing had all the space it needed for the goal.
A poor first 40 at least ended on a positive note for the Steelers when big wing Kuridrani took the lead from the last play of the half when the visitors opted for the lineout option after a penalty, and were rewarded with a very necessary seven points. .
Slade briefly raised hopes for the Steelers as he stepped forward to finish off a growing attack from the visiting forwards, but the correction came quickly for the Magpies, with Flanders charging after a brilliant break and an inning pass from the impressive Mikaele-Tu’u. on the right.
Hawke’s Bay 31 (Brad Weber 2, World Cup, Devan Flanders tries; penalty attempt; Lincoln McClutchie 2 cons) Manukau Counties 17 (Kiris Kuridrani, Sam Slade tries; Baden Kerr pen, with; Jason Robertson with). Height: 26-10.
MVP Points: Brad Weber 3, Stacey Ili 2, Dalton Papalii 1.
