Rugby: Another Slater to line-up for injury-hit Bulls

Will Johnston  

Photo: LDV Photography.

A tradition will continue for one Taranaki rugby family on Sunday afternoon.  

New Plymouth Old Boys loose forward Rowan Slater, the son of All Black and Taranaki centurion, Gordon, is in line to make his debut off the bench for the Bulls’ round five match against Waikato at Yarrow Stadium.  

The 22-year-old called his selection an honour, as coach Neil Barnes has been forced to call in the reinforcements because of a growing list of injuries.  

“I’ve grown up looking up to my dad, uncle [Andy] and Bradley [cousin] and it will be very special to be able to share that with Bradley this weekend,” he said. 

The call-up in the playing 23 has come down to being patience, he says, after narrowly missing out on being contracted despite solid performances in club rugby, first for Stratford-Eltham and then in the past few seasons, Old Boys.  

A lot of hard work and staying focused on what he wants to achieve has also helped, he said.  

“Without good teammates, coaches and support crew that want to see you do well, I couldn’t have made it to this point, so I’m very grateful to everyone that has helped me get to this point.”  

The former New Plymouth Boys’ High School student has lent on his quietly spoken father during the week. 

“Dad doesn’t say too much, he just tells me that nerves are a good thing and to back myself.”  

Slater said his dad, who played 176 matches for Taranaki, has been a mentor and given “great advice” during his rugby career – that includes coming through the Chiefs and Taranaki age-group systems 

“He’s just as excited as I am for Sunday.”  

Slater is not only looking forward to running out with stand-in captain Bradley, but also hoping to make the most of the opportunity.  

“I’m really excited to get a chance to prove myself and hopefully I can make an impact off the bench to help the team.”  

Slater will form an inexperienced reserve forward pack where six players have only 10 caps amongst them. That includes Old Boys hooker JJ Pokai, who could also make his debut. 

While Barnes has re-introduced the favoured Adam Lennox-Josh Jacomb first-five eighth and halfback combination, that brought impact off the bench in last week’s win against Otago, he’s been forced to switch other positions because of injury woes.  

Obey Samate has been chosen over Jayson Potroz at fullback and Josh Setu joins Daniel Rona in the midfield.  

Kaylum Boshier and Tom Franklin suffered concussions last week and Meihana Grindlay and Kini Naholo have hamstring complaints ruling them all out.  

The news gets worse for prop Jared Proffit (calf) and loose forward Hemopo Cunningham (neck) after both have been ruled out for the rest of the season.  

However, there is still hope that All Black Stephen Perofeta could be available against Bay of Plenty away on Saturday, September 14.  

Taranaki Bulls team to play Waikato, Sunday, 2:05pm 

Obey Samate, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Josh Setu, Daniel Rona, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Josh Jacomb, Adam Lennox, Arese Poliko, Michael Loft, Badley Slater (C), Jesse Parete, Fiti Sa, Michael Bent, Ricky Riccitelli, Mitch O’Neill. Reserves: JJ Pokai, Perry Lawrence, Toby Burkett, Jackson Morgan, Rowan Slater, AJ Lemalu, Leone Nawai, Jayson Potroz.