Former Māori All Black joins Taranaki for the season

Will Johnston

Former Māori All Black Tom Franklin has been called into boost the Taranaki Bulls locking stocks for the remainder of the season.  

The 32-year-old, who played for Otago and the Highlanders between 2011 and 2019, was named on the bench for Taranaki’s match against Bay of Plenty at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Taranaki coach Neil Barnes said with three locks in the All Blacks, including the continued uncertainty of Josh Lord and injuries to others, Frankling was “in between gigs.”

“We touched base with him to ask if he can help us out and he agreed to do it,” he said. “He’s got a lot of experience, an intelligent player and size, which is something we haven’t got at the moment.”

Franklin played for San Diago in the American MRL competition this year and had a stint with the Wayne Smith-coached Kobelco Steelers in Japan.

He already had connections with assistant coach Jarrad Hoeata and midfielder Teihorangi Walden when they were at the Highlanders.

His inclusion is only for this year, but Barnes said conversations will happen “a bit further down the track” about his long-term commitment.

Franklin’s addition to the bench means promising lock Fiti Sa misses out this week after playing in his debut match against Waikato on Sunday. Competition rules say if players are brought in, they must be included in a team by the fifth week.  

“We’ve put him in accordingly. Fiti needs some game time under his belt and will play 40 or 60 minutes for the development this week and will come back better for it.”

Barnes was quick to point out he relied on the province’s depth in the early stages of the competition. While there are young players training with the team, he said they’re not ready for provincial rugby yet.

“We’re hoping to grow them into that position.”

Franklin’s inclusion is one of a few changes for the top-of-the-table side, who are eying up their fifth consecutive win.

First-five eighth Jayson Potroz drops to the bench to allow Stephen Perofeta to move in from fullback. Matty McKenzie slots in at 15.

Barnes said he was always going to give Perofeta game time at 10 and was pleased with McKenzie’s performance off the bench last weekend.

Adam Lennox earns his first start of the season to replace the injured Logan Crowley at halfback.

The forward pack remains settled, but Barnes admits he hasn’t had a lot of choice up front.

“They’ve had to work pretty hard but I’m happy with the way they’re going and with more people coming back on deck over the next two weeks, they might get a break at some stage.”

Bay of Plenty languish in tenth place on the table with one win from three matches.

Kick off is at 4:35pm.

Taranaki to play Bay of Plenty on Saturday: Matty McKenzie, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Meihana Grindlay, Teihorangi Walden, Kini Naholo, Stephen Perofeta, Adam Lennox, Kaylum Boshier, Tom Florence, Pita Gus Sowakula, Hemopo Cunningham, Jesse Parete, Reuben O’Neill, Ricky Riccitelli, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Donald Brighouse, Michael Bent, Tom Franklin, Millennium Sanerivi, Daniel Rona, Jayson Potroz.