Injuries hit Taranaki Bulls ahead of Waikato

Will Johnston

After a dream run in the national provincial championship, injuries have taken its toll on the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls.

The side is looking for six wins on the bounce when they play Waikato at the Tauranga Domain on Saturday afternoon. It will be the Bulls’ final cross-over match of the season before two regular season fixtures remaining.

Reuben O’Neill, Fin Hoeata, Lachlan Boshier and Mitchell Brown all suffered injuries in last week’s win against Otago in Dunedin. Boshier and Brown are gone for the season, Hoeata is back in two weeks and O’Neill will be assessed on a week-to-week basis.

Mitchell Crosswell and Jesse Parete, who were injuried previously, are also being assessed on a week-to-week basis but are unavailable this week.

Coach Neil Barnes has been forced to make several changes to the side but will see debuts for two players.  

Lock Micky Woolliams joins the team on loan from Southland and will slot into the second row in place of All Black recruit Josh Lord.

Originally from Wellington, the 25-year-old signed up for Manawatu. He was earmarked to play for the Turbos before shifting north and represented Counties Manukau 11 times.

Barnes first spotted him while he was in Manawatu’s academy.

“He was young and light at the time and I’ve watched his growth playing for Counties Manukau over the past seasons,” he said.

“I had no hesitation in offering him an opportunity.”

Woolliam’s selection comes after Barnes has been a staunch advocate in providing local players opportunities first. But, this time, he had no option.

“I couldn’t see a genuine two-meter lock in Taranaki that can call a lineout, which meant, unfortunately, we had to go outside our region.”

Barnes said he will be with the team for the remainder of the season and a long term opportunity based on performance.

Woolliams will join Stratford/Eltham’s Scott Jury in the second row.

With the lack of starting loose forward, regular hooker Bradley Slater will move to the side of the scrum with Tom Florence and Pita-Gus Sowakula.

The backline remains unchanged from the last few weeks.

Mills Sanerivi, Rhodes Featherstone and Hemopo Cunningham join the reserves. Cunningham could make his debut, if required.  

The match was meant to be played on Waikato’s centenary weekend in August. It’s also the first time the two teams have met in Tauranga – a neutral venue because of Waikato’s level three restrictions.

The Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy is on the line.

Kick off in Tauranga is at 2:05pm.

Taranaki Bulls: Stephen Perofeta, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Daniel Waite, Teihorangi Walden (c), Kini Naholo, Jayson Potroz, Logan Crowley, Pita-Gus Sowakula, Bradley Slater, Tom Florence, Micky Woolliams, Scott Jury, Michael Bent, Ricky Riccitelli, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Mills Sanerivi, Donald Brighouse, Kyle Stewart, Rhodes Featherstone, Hemopo Cunningham, Liam Blyde, Daniel Rona, Vereniki Tikoisolomone.