TARANAKI

LAST YEAR’S SEMI-FINALISTS

Last season, Taranaki Bulls made it through to the semi-finals but came up against a red-hot Hawke’s Bay side that kicked-on to win the final a week later.

The Bulls welcome back Neil Barnes as head coach after he spent six years at the Chiefs as assistant coach.

Barnes has a strong squad with plenty of experience to work with and few changes made from last year’s playing group. “When I look across our team, it is not like we have a lot of stars. We have a lot of hard working, good players so if we get them pointed in the right direction then results will follow,” he says. Family and community are at the heart of the Taranaki support base. Players with the surnames Crowley and Slater have been involved with famous Ranfurly Shield wins and victories over touring teams for decades.

That legacy continues in 2021 with halfback Logan Crowley and hooker Bradley Slater set to play key roles. Crowley returns from time away in Southland and will likely start at halfback.

Competition for places will be keen in all positions but particularly at hooker where Slater and Ricky Riccitelli go head-to-head to wear the No 2 jersey. There will be plenty of emotional support behind outstanding openside flanker Lachlan Boshier who is off to Japan at the end of the NPC. Taranaki fans are not the only ones wondering why he did not get an All Blacks jersey. First-five/fullback Stephen Perofeta struggled for game time in the latter part of the Blues’ season but he is a proven player at NPC level. If Perofeta is selected at fullback, Daniel Waite is a quality performer at first-five and can also slot into midfield if needed. New Zealand Under-20s winger Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was part of the successful Blues squad in Super Rugby TransTasman and can play fullback, wing and centre. Another Fiji-born Chiefs player is winger Kini Naholo who has overcome two years of serious leg injuries to finally be able to showcase his dazzling speed. Loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula made the most of playing minutes he got in a Chiefs jersey while Josh Lord should ensure a constant supply of top-quality lineout ball. The 2.02-metre-tall lock benefited from being coached by Barnes at the Chiefs. The Bulls have co-captains this campaign – midfielder Teihorangi Walden and loose forward Mitch Brown. All home games, except the season opener, will again be played at Inglewood’s TET Stadium with Yarrow Stadium undergoing a $50 million refurbishment. For the first time since 1945, the Bulls will play at the iconic cricket ground Pukekura Park. The opening game against Hawke’s Bay on August 7 celebrates 100 years since Taranaki drew 0–0 with the Springboks at Pukekura Park in 1921.

Taranaki’s LACHLAN BOSHIER offloads the ball against Canterbury.

PITA GUS SOWAKULA passes in last year’s final against Hawke’s Bay.

COACH: NEIL BARNES CO-CAPTAINS:

MITCH BROWN, TEIHORANGI WALDEN

HOME GROUND: TET STADIUM, INGLEWOOD TICKETS: www.iticket.co.nz ADDRESS:

PO BOX 5004, NEW PLYMOUTH

PHONE: 06 759 0167 WEBSITE: www.trfu.co.nz EMAIL: info@trfu.co.nz TAB ODDS: TARANAKI $5.00