Rugby: Boshier, Crowley return as Taranaki prepare for BOP match

File photo by John Velvin.

Taranaki will welcome back two of their leaders as they look to respond to last week’s record defeat when they face Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Saturday night.

Captain Kaylum Boshier and vice-captain Logan Crowley return to the starting side after both missed the 42-0 loss to Northland with concussion.

The defeat was Taranaki’s heaviest against Northland and came during a week when the squad was hit by a significant injury toll and Influenza A among players and management.

Boshier will start at No 8 for the Hilux NPC clash, while Crowley returns at halfback as part of several changes to the starting XV.

Southern prop Keightley Watson starts at tighthead, while New Zealand Under-20 lock and Taranaki Academy product Bradley Tocker earns his first start after making his provincial debut off the bench against Northland.

Wing Vereniki Tikoisolomone is also in line to make his 50th appearance for Taranaki.

The Stratford Eltham back made his debut against Hawke’s Bay at Pukekura Park in 2021, scoring the match-winning try.

Two players could also make their Taranaki debuts from the bench.

Inglewood youngster Jamie Viljoen has been rewarded for strong performances in club rugby and for Taranaki Under-20, while Canterbury hooker Zach Landon-Lane has joined the province on loan to provide short-term depth while Bradley Slater is away on All Blacks duty.

Taranaki remain without several players, including suspended back Meihana Grindlay and injured players Michael Loft, Daniel Rona, Jayden Sa and Reuben O’Neill.

Arese Poliko, Adam Lennox and Fiti Sa are also unavailable, with their return dates yet to be confirmed.

Taranaki head into the match with one win from their opening three games after losses to Waikato and Northland. Kick-off at Rotorua International Stadium is at 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, Taranaki’s other representative sides are also in action on Saturday.

The Central Roofing Taranaki Whio host King Country at the New Plymouth Boys’ High School Gully Ground after opening their Northern Regions Development campaign with a 51-5 win over Ngāti Porou East Coast last weekend.

The unbeaten Taranaki Under-20 side travels to Hamilton to face Waikato at Beetham Park after beating Counties Manukau 54-17, while Taranaki Development heads north to play Northland following its 36-26 victory over Bay of Plenty.