Rugby: Perofeta returns for Bulls' Shield challenge

Will Johnston

All Black Stephen Perofeta will return for Taranaki in Sunday’s Ranfurly Shield match against Tasman in Nelson.

Perofeta has been sidelined since playing in a portion of the two test matches against England in July and will play in his first National Provincial Championship match of the season via the bench.

The 27-year-old has been training with Taranaki for over a month and had been eyeing a return before the end of the season.

He told Mediaworks last week he had been getting through two weeks of full training after suffering from a calf injury. He said he’s been “ticking off the boxes around contact and the running load side of things.”

Watching his side attempt to defend the championship’s title, he said he was looking forward to getting back on the field.

“The feet are very itchy at the moment, especially seeing the boys doing their work and playing some quality footy, I’m really wanting to get back out there.”

Sunday’s match will only be the second time Taranaki and Tasman have played in a Ranfurly Shield clash. The first was in 2012, when Taranaki retained the Log o’ Wood at Yarrow Stadium by winning 49-40. 

Taranaki coach Neil Barnes will welcome back a number of players for the occasion after he strategically rested them against Manawatu on Sunday. 

Promising loose forward Arese Poliko, midfielder Daniel Rona and prop Reuben O’Neill will all start.

Meihana Grindlay and Scott Jury are back to full fitness after their injuries but are likely to return for the quarterfinals on the weekend of October 12. Josh Setu retains his midfield position after holding his own last week.

The second half will be a key focus for Barnes against Tasman, who retained the Shield after beating Auckland 31-17 in challenging conditions on Wednesday night in Nelson.

While it looked like Taranaki had their match against Manawatu under control with a 28-12 lead in the second half, the Turbos came back in the last quarter only to lose 33-31.

Taranaki’s last Shield match was in 2020 when Otago snatched the prize 30-19 at TET Stadium in Inglewood.

If the Bulls win the prestigious trophy, it will be the eighth time they’ve won it in its history and will move to the top of the table.

Kickoff is at 2:05pm.

Taranaki: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Josh Setu, Daniel Rona, Kini Naholo, Josh Jacomb, Adam Lennox, Kaylum Boshier ©, Michael Loft, Arese Poliko, Josh Lord, Jesse Parete, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Mitch O’Neill. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, JJ Pokai, Michael Bent, Jackson Morgan, Jayden Sa, Logan Crowley, Ethan Reti, Stephen Perofeta.