TARANAKI

SIXTH IN EVENS CONFERENCE IN 2022: The unbeaten 2021 season was a hard act to follow for the Taranaki Bulls last year, but it was still surprising they missed out on a quarter-final place. Just three wins from 10 games was not enough to get through. Injuries to key players certainly did not help but overall, it was a disappointing campaign.

KEY PLAYERS: Discarded All Blacks first-five Stephen Perofeta and dynamic loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula have plenty of extra motivation in this year’s NPC. Jesse Parete can play equally well at blindside and lock, while former captain Teihorangi Walden is back from playing in the USA’s Major League Rugby. Kaylum Boshier benefited from another season with the Chiefs.

YOUNG GUNS: New signing Fiti Sa is a big unit, standing 2.03m tall. The mobile lock is two years out of Christ’s College in Canterbury and currently with the Chiefs on a national development contract. Scott Jury is another promising lock who has tasted NPC action, as has flanker Hemopo Cunningham. First-five Josh Jacomb has all the skills needed to succeed.

SEASON PROSPECTS: The squad has a familiar look again in 2023 and has remained relatively consistent over the past two seasons. Just three new players are included: wing Willem Ratu, former Hurricanes loose forward Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and Fiti Sa. There is the usual tough edge to the forward pack and in Neil Barnes they have one of the best coaches in the country. A return to play-off footy is expected.

Wellington

CHAMPIONS IN 2022: Wellington’s 2022 season will go down as one of the finest in the union’s history. The Lions played some superb attacking rugby on the back of a powerful forward pack to finish top of the Evens Conference before beating Hawke’s Bay, Auckland and finally Canterbury in the grand final. To add the biggest cherry on top, Wellington also won the Ranfurly Shield off Hawke’s Bay.

KEY PLAYERS: Former Hurricanes captain and centurion Brad Shields is the big signing. He returns to New Zealand after five years playing overseas, including winning nine caps for England. The powerful loose forward will add to an already strong forward pack that includes giant lock Dominic Bird. Midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen and first-five Aiden Morgan will bring their excellent form with the Hurricanes to guide a youthful Lions backline.

YOUNG GUNS: No 8 Peter Lakai is one of the rising stars of New Zealand rugby. The 20-year-old made his NPC debut last season, scored a hat trick of tries in his fourth game, and then produced outstanding form for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific. Midfielder Riley Higgins is another player to watch for the Lions.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Wellington’s new coaching group is led by promoted head coach Tamati Ellison. The coaches face the dual challenge of having an NPC title and Ranfurly Shield to defend but will have a strong playing roster to work with. There are some fine young players looking to make their mark, including local boys Hugo Plummer, Bradley Crichton and Dominic Ropeti.

COACH: NEIL BARNES

CO-CAPTAINS: KAYLUM BOSHIER, LOGAN CROWLEY

WEBSITE: www.trfu.co.nz

PHONE: 06 759 0167

TICKETS: www.iticket.co.nz

TAB ODDS: $18.00

COACH: TAMATI ELLISON

CAPTAIN: DU’PLESSIS KIRIFI

WEBSITE: wellingtonlions.co.nz

PHONE: 04 389 0020

TICKETS: www.flicket.co.nz

TAB ODDS: $4.00