Rugby: Taranaki make changes, Boshier returns

Photo by LDV Photography

Taranaki will head to Albany with a reshuffled backline, a milestone man at halfback and their regular captain back in the match-day 23 for Saturday’s NPC quarterfinal against North Harbour.

Head coach Jarrad Hoeata has made a handful of changes from the side that thrashed Wellington 68-26 at Stadium Taranaki on Sunday, with several of the province’s All Blacks unavailable.

Jayden Sa moves into the second row in place of Scott Barrett, who has rejoined the All Blacks, while Tukapa first-five Sam Clarke replaces Josh Jacomb after he was also called into camp ahead of the Bledisloe Cup test in Auckland.

The back three has also been rearranged following Beauden Barrett’s return to the national side.

Vereniki Tikoisolomone starts on the right wing, while Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens moves back to fullback.

One of the biggest boosts comes on the bench, where regular captain Kaylum Boshier has been named after missing the final three rounds with a hand injury suffered against Manawatū.

Boshier had initially been expected to miss the remainder of the competition.

Utility back Jamie Viljoen also comes into the 23.

Saturday will also mark a milestone for Adam Lennox, who will make his 50th appearance for Taranaki.

The Stratford/Eltham and Highlanders halfback made his debut against Bay of Plenty in 2022 and has since become a regular member of the provincial side.

The quarterfinal follows Taranaki’s biggest win of the season, with the 68-26 victory over Wellington played in front of the second-largest Bulls home crowd since 2017.

Only the 2023 NPC final attracted a bigger attendance during that period.

Taranaki will now look to carry that momentum into the knockout stages, with North Harbour awaiting at North Harbour Stadium.

Kick-off is at 2.35pm on Saturday.

Scott Jury remains unavailable with a foot injury and is out for the season.

Taranaki team:

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Meihana Grindlay, Daniel Rona, Kini Naholo, Sam Clarke, Adam Lennox, Arese Poliko, Michael Loft, Josefa Namosimalua, Jayden Sa, Jesse Parete, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves: JJ Pokai, Perry Lawrence, Keightley Watson, Fiti Sa, Kaylum Boshier, Logan Crowley, Jamie Viljoen, Seta Tamanivalu.