Rugby: Contracted players released, positions available for club players

Taranaki Rugby

The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls have confirmed 25 players currently contracted for the 2026 NPC season, locking in a stable core of Super Rugby talent ahead of new Head Coach, Jarrad Hoeata's first campaign in charge.

The 25-player contracted group features five All Blacks in Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i, whose availability will be dictated by their All Blacks commitments during the test window, while the remaining contracted group is built around the core of the side that has driven Taranaki’s success over recent seasons, including the 2023 championship-winning campaign. That continuity gives Hoeata a strong platform as he steps into the top job following Neil Barnes' elevation to All Blacks Assistant Coach.

With up to 11 spots still to be filled, depending on All Blacks duties, the door is wide open for new players to push their case through the CMK Premier Club Rugby season. The pathway, established by Barnes during his tenure, has consistently produced Bulls debutants and reinforced the club rugby to provincial pipeline that Taranaki is built on.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Head Coach Jarrad Hoeata:

"It's a strong base to build from. The leadership and experience is locked in, and now we get to see who steps up through CMK Club Rugby. That competition has allowed us to build depth in this province. If you're firing throughout the season, you'll get a look."

"We've built a pathway that genuinely rewards form and loyalty to the region. My job is to keep that door open and back the players who earn the right to wear the Amber & Black."

Wider training group under Leo Crowley

With Hoeata still committed to Super Rugby Pacific duties with the Chiefs through to June, vastly experienced local coach Leo Crowley is leading the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls local programme.

Crowley will run the wider training group, support locally based contracted players, view CMK Premier Club Rugby matches each weekend and feed observations directly into Hoeata's selection planning.

The wider training group, made up of standout CMK Club Rugby players and emerging Taranaki talent, begun training under Crowley last week. The full wider training group will be announced on Wednesday.

Hoeata on the wider group and CMK pathway:

"Each year, the wider training group has given 40 to 50 players a chance to develop their skills and learn how we want to play. From there, it's on them to perform in CMK Club Rugby. Some of those players have been contracted before, for others it's their first crack at it.  Having Leo running that programme while I see out my Chiefs commitments means our wider group is in great hands."

Your 2026 Yarrows Taranaki Bulls (so far):

Contracted All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i.

Contracted Yarrows Taranaki Bulls: Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, JJ Pokai, Bradley Slater, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Arese Poliko, Michael Loft, Hemopo Cunningham, Kaylum Boshier, Adam Lennox, Logan Crowley, Josh Jacomb, Sam Clarke, Daniel Rona, Meihana Grindlay, Haki Wiseman, Kini Naholo, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.