RUGBY: Randell laces up but where will he play? | Hawkes Bay Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Hawkes Bay

For former All Black rugby captain Taine Randell the original plan was one training session and a pep talk at the start of the season with the Flaxmere-based MAC premier club side.

"I'm a third-generation MAC player. I couldn't leave it at that. I was so excited when I went along and realised how keen the club was to turn things around after two winless seasons," Randell, 35, told SportToday.

The 61-game, 51-test All Black from 1995-2002 took on the role of co-forwards coach and tomorrow is likely to take the field as a sub in a third-round Tui Nash Cup fixture against another of this season's winless sides to date Central at Ron Giorgi Park - a game MAC is obviously targeting as a possible victory.

"I told the guys at the start of the season I didn't want to take the spot which could be filled by a young fellah. I'll only be playing if there is nobody else for a particular role," said Randell.

SportToday quizzed him on the position - blindside or No 8?

"Who knows ... it could be at 12 or 13. Let's keep Central guessing," he laughed.

Randell had his last serious game in April 2006 with English team Saracens. He last played for MAC during the 1992 and 93 seasons when home on holiday from Otago University and first played for MAC in 1989 alongside his father, Mike.

Like several of his teammates and members of the management team Randell has been focusing on weight loss.

"I've lost 10kg but there is still a wee bit more to go."

While he is happy with the progress made by the MAC forwards to date this season Randell pointed out "there is still a bit of work" required by the backs.

"We're not expecting big things and we're not going to be world beaters. We just want to stop the flow of 100 pointers the boys have been on the receiving end of in recent seasons," said Randell.

He is enjoying his MAC role more than his coaching role with his son Lanson's Hastings Rugby and Sports fifth grade side last year after the Randell family returned home from London where he worked as a commodity broker from 2006 to 2008.

"We lost our first three games and Lanson told me I was rubbish. A woman took over from me and they started winning."

While Randell is gradually becoming the "face" of the MAC side the team's "waterboy", Hastings District Council councillor Henare O'Keefe, is quick to praise the input of everyone else involved.

"What we have done is put a korowai [cloak] of good people around exceptional coach and club president Anthony Morley. This allows him to get on with his duties and we take care of the peripherals," said O'Keefe.

 Hawke's Bay businessman and former Magpies and Junior All Black prop Pat Benson is on the coaching staff with Randell and Morley.

"This is a huge call on his part. Pat is a staunch Napier Old Boys Marist man and has been for many years, but for the sake of Hawke's Bay rugby and Flaxmere he has climbed in there boots and all," said O'Keefe.

Like Randell, Benson and O'Keefe train with the side and spectators at last weekend's game were as complimentary about the pair's fitness levels and appearance as they were about the general improvement displayed by the team on last year's performances.

"Just watch this space, there'll be no more thrashings for MAC," warned O'Keefe.

He was referring to the regular 80 points plus drubbings MAC conceded during winless Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy campaigns in 2008 and last year.

"When we start winning, and we will, the whole of Flaxmere will begin to follow this team from game to game."

Prior to every training session and game the MAC players have a karakia. The side's waiata, titled Families Are Forever, will be sung by the team at every given opportunity as well as after the captain's speech.

Flaxmere school teacher Pip West (O'Keefe's sister) has written a haka for the team which takes into account the dynamics of the team and its faith in God. O'Keefe has provided the actions for the haka which is called Kia Tau Kia Tau (Be Alert Be Alert).

Because West is a Havelock North supporter and her son Ihaia plays for Havelock the MAC players have decided to debut the haka in the May 22 outing against Havelock at Anderson Park.

"This is more than a rugby team - this is a living, breathing example of a community taking ownership and stepping outside of the square in order to improve their lot.

"Look out the MAC Attack is back," warned O'Keefe.

SportToday will be surprised if Randell and co don't record their first win of the season tomorrow. While this is the feature bottom-of-the-table clash unbeaten sides Tremains Napier Old Boys Marist and Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports will meet in a Challenge Trophy top-of-the-table encounter at Park Island in what should also be closely fought.

Defending champions Taradale will start as favourites against Clive at Carters Arms Park, Russell Roads Hastings Rugby and Sports host Havelock North at Elwood Park and Napier Tech Group Premiers host Tamatea at Whitmore Park.