Rugby: Potroz brings up milestone against Otago

Will Johnston 

Photo by: John Velvin

Taranaki utility back Jayson Potroz will bring up a milestone when he runs out onto Yarrow Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  

The 32-year-old will play in his 50th match for the amber and blacks against Otago in round four of the national provincial championship. He will also earn his first start of the season as coach Neil Barnes has made a string of changes.  

Potroz has spent the last two club seasons playing for the New England Free Jacks in America’s Major League Rugby competition and claimed back-to-back championships with an MVP season last year.  

Potroz made his debut against Poverty Bay in a Ranfurly Shield pre-season match in 2018 and has since notched up 177 points. In his first season, he was known for scoring an intercept try against Canterbury in Christchurch. He’s been a feature in Taranaki’s line up either playing at first-five eighth or fullback.  

With two appearances so far this year off the bench, he will start at first-five eight on Saturday with Barnes’ focus to test whether his players can get through a full 80-minute performance.  

In a surprise move, Josh Jacomb moves to fullback, which sees Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens shift to the wing in place of Kini Naholo, who injured his hamstring against Southland last week. 

Josh Setu also moves to the wing giving Verniki Tikoisolomone a break after he’s started in every match so far this season.  

Another change sees elusive halfback Adam Lennox and Leone Nawai switch.  

New Plymouth Old Boys prop Toby Burkett comes into the playing 23 for the injured Jared Proffit and could earn his first cap from the bench. Burkett has impressed Barnes in the Taranaki development team over the last few weeks.  

There have been tweaks to the loose forwards, where Arese Poliko earns a start in place for Scott Jury.  

Meanwhile, Otago beat Bay of Plenty 31-26 in Dunedin.  

They welcome back Jona Nareki and Will Tucker, while Moana Takataka is inline to make his first-class debut off the bench. Sam Gilbert is out because of a toe injury.  

Kick off is at 2:35pm. 

The Taranaki Whio will also host Otago in a double-header round at Yarrow Stadium.  

Taranaki is coming off a 62-19 loss to North Harbour, while Otago beat Tasman 34-27.  

Kick off is at 12:05pm. 

Taranaki Bulls to play Otago:  

Josh Jacomb, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Meihana Grindlay, Daniel Rona, Josh Setu, Jayson Potroz, Leone Nawai, Kaylum Boshier (C), Michael Loft, Arese Poliko, Tom Franklin, Fiti Sa, Michael Bent, Bradley Slater, Mitch O’Neill. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Perry Lawrence, Toby Burkett, Jackson Morgan, Scott Jury, Adam Lennox, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Obey Samate.  

Unavailable for selection: 

Kini Naholo, hamstring, week to week
Jared Profitt, 4-6 weeks
Jesse Parete, concussions, week to week
Brad Kooman, jaw, week to week
Reuben O’Neill, suspension, two weeks
Nathaniel Peters, knee, 2 weeks
Hemopo Cunningham, neck, TBC
Logan Crowley, shoulder, TBC
Brayton Northcott-Hill, shoulder, TBC