Paint it black for the Magpies

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union has issued a "call to arms" ahead of the Magpies and Bay of Plenty's "Battle of the Bays" this Friday night at McLean Park.

The union's commercial and marketing manager, Jay Campbell, was urging everyone to get out their black and support their team against their arch rivals.

"Be it at school, to work, dressing up your business, office, car or truck - whatever it takes to prove that it's a blackout," Mr Campbell said. "Bay of Plenty and their team of travelling supporters will certainly know they have entered Magpie territory come Friday."

He said that although the side have lost four of their first five matches in this year's ITM Cup, the Magpies know they have the support of the community. And by sporting black for the day, the Hawke's Bay public will once again highlight to the rest of the country that regardless of how they are faring, the Magpies will be supported "through good times and bad".

The union is offering 100 free stand tickets to the best dressed school and 50 for the best dressed corporate or business for the Magpies game against Otago on Saturday, September 29.

Magpies captain Mike Coman said the team had fantastic support at home. "It would be awesome to see McLean Park packed to the rafters with black and white Magpies fans," he said. "Hearing that massive crowd right behind you only pushes you harder."

See Hawke's Bay Today for your chance to win tickets.

Tickets for the Bay Of Plenty game can be purchased from any Ticket Direct outlet as well as online at ticketdirect.co.nz or by calling 0800 224 224.