Rugby: Barnes forced to make tweaks ahead of Wellington

Will Johnston 

A suspension and injury have forced Taranaki coach Neil Barnes to make small tweaks to his side ahead of Sunday afternoon’s national provincial championship (NPC) match against Wellington.  

Reuben O’Neill will be sidelined for four weeks after dangerous play in the season opener against Counties Manukau last Friday night, while experienced loose forward Kaylum Boshier picked up a shoulder unjury.  

It means former Irish international Michael Bent will earn a start in the front row and Hemopo Cunningham will move off the bench.  

Because of Boshier’s absence, which will be assessed week-by-week, hooker Ricky Riccitelli will captain the side.  

There are some additions to the reserves, where New Plymouth Old Boys prop Perry Lawrence and Spotswood United loose forward AJ Lemalu are inline to make their first-class debuts. The pair have been involved in Barnes’ pre-season campaign. Lemalu has been in and around the squad for the past few seasons.  

Jayson Potroz returns to the side via the bench after a successful stint playing for the New England Free Jacks, which claimed back-to-back Major League Rugby titles in America. He kicked five from six attempts off the tee in the final.  

The remainder of the team is unchanged after an impressive first half in the competition's opening match.  

However, a list of injuries has already developed; admittedly, most of them came before the NPC season started.   

Former Southland loose forward Arese Poliko is due to be back next week from a leg injury, along with Chiefs midfielder Daniel Rona (concussion) to boost the team’s stocks.  

Jesse Parete will be assessed week-to-week for concussion while rookie Brad Kooman (jaw) and Nathaniel Peters (knee) could be available within two to four weeks.  

There is no time frame for Logan Crowley and Braydon Northcott-Hill to return from their shoulder injuries.  

Wellington is coming off a come-from-behind win against Auckland in the first round.  

Billy Proctor and Ruben Love are back from All Black duties, while Caleb Delany returns from injury.  

Kick-off is at 2:05pm on Sunday at Porirua Park.  

Meanwhile, the Taranaki Whio is home to Wellington at Hicks Park in Hawera, kicking off at 12:05pm.  

Maria Kukutai, Kayla Woods, Brooklyn Walker and Portia Huffman are potential debutants off the bench.  

Pareke O’Brien will play in her 20th match for the Whio.  

Wellington is coming off a 51-12 win against Tasman in round one of the Farah Palmer Cup. 

Taranaki team to play Wellington on Sunday: 

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Josh Setu, Meihana Grindlay, Kini Naholo, Josh Jacomb, Adam Lennox, Hemopo Cunningham, Michael Loft, Scott Jury, Tom Franklin, Fiti Sa, Michael Bent, Ricky Riccitelli (C), Jared Profitt. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Perry Lawrence, Mitch O’Neill, Jackson Morgan, AJ Lemalu, Leone Nawai, Ethen Reti, Jayson Potroz.