Rugby: Barrett and Lord to start for Taranaki

Taranaki will welcome two All Blacks into its pack for a crucial NPC clash against Hawke’s Bay on Sunday, with its place in the quarterfinals place not yet secure. 

With just two rounds of the regular season remaining, the Bulls sit equal sixth on the competition ladder with Waikato and are locked in a tight battle for a playoff spot.

Only four competition points separate sixth and 10th, making Sunday's result at McLean Park particularly important to Taranaki's quarterfinal hopes.

Locks Scott Barrett and Josh Lord have been named to start as Taranaki looks to build on its convincing 55-19 win over Southland.

Barrett will make his long-awaited return to rugby and just his second appearance for Taranaki.

The All Blacks forward has not played for the province since November 2021 and has been sidelined from rugby since undergoing back surgery earlier this year.

Lord, meanwhile, will make his first appearance for Taranaki this season, giving coach Jarrad Hoeata an experienced locking combination for the important late-season encounter.

Hoeata has made several other changes to the side which comfortably accounted for Southland at Stadium Taranaki.

Michael Loft returns at openside flanker after missing last weekend's match with concussion, while Adam Lennox has recovered from a back injury to reclaim the starting halfback jersey.

Logan Crowley also returns from a leg injury and has been named on the bench.

Stratford-Eltham winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone starts on the right wing, while Jayden Sa is in line to make his 20th blazer appearance from the bench.

Taranaki remains without Kaylum Boshier and Scott Jury for the rest of the season, while Fiti Sa and Olly Lawson are expected to remain sidelined for another one to two weeks.

Sunday's match kicks off at 5.05pm.

Taranaki: Jayson Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Meihana Grindlay, Daniel Rona, Kini Naholo, Josh Jacomb, Adam Lennox, Arese Poliko, Michael Loft, Josefa Namosimalua, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves: JJ Pokai, Perry Lawrence, Keightley Watson, Jayden Sa, Sage Walters-Hansen, Logan Crowley, Sam Clarke, Seta Tamanivalu.