Rugby: Concussions force changes for Taranaki ahead of Northland clash

Photo by John Velvin

A string of concussions has forced the Taranaki Bulls into several changes for Friday night’s NPC clash against Northland in Whangārei.

Captain Kaylum Boshier and vice-captain Logan Crowley have both been ruled out after suffering concussions in last Friday’s 38-32 loss to Waikato, while Arese Poliko picked up a concussion at training this week.

Meihana Grindlay is also unavailable after receiving a two-week suspension following a citing from the Waikato match.

The absences mean Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will captain Taranaki against Northland, with prop Jared Proffit stepping into the vice-captaincy.

Inglewood loose forward Josefa Namosimalua will make his Taranaki debut after being named to start at blindside flanker following a strong club rugby season.

Sage Walters-Hansen has been promoted from the bench to start at No 8 after making an impact against Waikato.

There is also a boost out wide, with Kini Naholo returning on the left wing after a hamstring niggle kept him out of Taranaki’s opening two matches.

New Plymouth Boys’ High School and Taranaki Academy product Haki Wiseman will start in the midfield alongside experienced centre Seta Tamanivalu.

New Zealand Under-20 utility forward Bradley Tocker and New Plymouth Old Boys’ Quintony Ngatai could also make their Taranaki debuts after being named among the impact players.

Taranaki’s unavailable list continues to grow, with Reuben O’Neill, Daniel Rona, Fiti Sa and Michael Loft also sidelined through injury, while Scott Barrett is listed as unavailable with his return date still to be confirmed.

Bradley Slater, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Josh Jacomb are unavailable because of All Blacks commitments.

Taranaki will be looking to rebound from its first defeat of the season after Waikato held on for a 38-32 victory in New Plymouth last Friday.

The Bulls travel to Whangārei to face Northland on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Taranaki’s other representative teams are also in action this weekend after mixed results in the Northern Regions competitions last weekend.

The Taranaki Under-20 side beat Bay of Plenty 50-33 at Tukapa, while the Taranaki Whio went down 36-12 to Waikato Development at Mōkau.

This weekend, the Whio face Ngāti Porou East Coast at Waikite Rugby and Sports Club, Rotorua, at 11am, while Taranaki Development host Bay of Plenty at Tukapa at 12.30pm.

The Taranaki Under-20 side also plays at Tukapa, taking on Counties Manukau at 12.30pm.

Taranaki team to play Northland on Friday night:

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Seta Tamanivalu, Haki Wiseman, Kini Naholo, Sam Clarke, Adam Lennox, Sage Walters-Hansen, Olly Lawson, Josefa Namosimalua*, Jesse Parete, Jayden Sa, Marika Parker, JJ Pokai, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Harry Hansen, Keightley Watson, Dane Johnston, Scott Jury, Bradley Tocker*, Quintony Ngatai*, Rocky Olsen, Willem Ratu

*Debutant