Jarrod Firth called into Yarrows Taranaki Bulls in 100th Ranfurly Shield match

Prop Jarrod Firth is likely to make his Yarrows Taranaki Bulls debut in the province’s 100th Ranfurly Shield match against Waikato on Sunday afternoon. 

The 26-year-old, who is on loan from Counties Manukau, has been named on the bench for the Bulls in the significant milestone.  

Firth has been playing for French club Grenoble and played 24 games for Counties Manukau between 2013 and 2015 and two Chiefs matches in 2015. He also had experience playing for the Glasgow Warriors. 

His inclusion into the squad is to cover prop due to Angus Ta’avoa’s call up into the All Blacks squad. 

Head Coach Willie Rickards said Firth’s inclusion is one that will add value to the forward pack. 

“Jarrod has settled into the squad well and is a very strong scrummager. He will add to our existing pack which has been going well this year”. 

Rickards has made five starting changes to his side which suffered a one-point loss to Northland on Sunday afternoon. 

Hooker Ricky Riccitelli and centre Seta Tamanivalu return to the starting line-up after being rested last weekend meaning Donald Maka and Latu Vaeno drop to the bench. 

After being in the reserves last weekend, Toa Halafihi also returns to the starting XV at number 8.

Lock Leighton Price and halfback Xavier Roe will make their first competition starts this year in place of Jesse Parete and Logan Crowley.

First five-eighth Daniel Waite, wings Regan Ware and Manasa Mataele and fullback Beaudein Waaka retain their starting positions. 

In Ta’avoa’s absence loose forward Mitchell Crosswell and midfielder Teihorangi Walden will act as co-captains for the Bulls.

After losing their opening three matches, Waikato beat Wellington on Wednesday night and, according to Rickards, will have a lot of confidence this weekend. 

“We have some great history against Waikato and they played very well on Wednesday night. They will be well prepared for this weekend, we are looking forward to the challenge”. 

Not only the match is Taranaki’s 100th Ranfurly Shield match but Taranaki are also looking for their 50th Shield win. 

Gates open at 2:00pm and the curtain raiser between Taranaki U18 Co-Ed and Bay of Plenty U18 will kick off at 2:15pm.

Tickets can be purchased from the Ticketek and TRFU websites and the TSB Showplace. 

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls vs Waikato, Sunday 9 September, 4:35pm;

1.    Jared Proffit
2.    Ricky Riccitelli
3.    Reuben O’Neil
4.    Jarrad Hoeata
5.    Leighton Price
6.    Mitchell Crosswell ©
7.    Lachlan Boshier
8.    Toa Halafihi
9.    Xavier Roe
10.    Daniel Waite
11.    Manasa Mataele
12.    Teihorangi Walden ©
13.    Seta Tamanivalu
14.    Regan Ware
15.    Beaudein Waaka
Reserves: 
16.    Scott Mellow
17.    Chris Gawler
18.    Jarrod Firth*
19.    Jesse Parete
20.    Pita Sowakula
21.    Logan Crowley
22.    Brayton Northcott-Hill
23.    Latu Vaneo

* Taranaki debutant 

Unavailable due to All Black duties: Beauden Barrett, Scott Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Waisake Nahalo, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Angus Ta'avoa
Unavailable due to injury: Bradley Slater (back), Mitchell Graham (leg), Fin Hoeata (shoulder), Mitchell Brown (knee), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Sean Wainui (shoulder), Kiniviliame Naholo (ankle) and Marty McKenzie (hip).

Key Facts:

•    Taranaki and Waikato have played in 82 matches, Taranaki has won 32, Waikato 43 with seven draws
•    Their first match was a 15-all draw in Hawera in 1921
•    Taranaki’s highest score was 46-17 win in 2014, their biggest loss was 67-7 in 1989
•    Waikato had a nine-match winning streak between 1989 and 1998
•    Taranaki’s best was a five-match winning stream in 1926-31 and are on a four-game streak without a loss (three wins and a draw)
•    This will be their 10th Ranfurly Shield clash between the two sides. Waikato has won five of these with Taranaki victories coming in 1958 and 1964. There were draws in 1953 and 2016
•    1996 and 2012 were two of the highest losses by a Ranfurly Shield holder in history. Fortunately, Taranaki established the biggest loss inflicted on Canterbury last year
•    Taranaki currently has 49 Ranfurly Shield wins and three drawn matches as holders – which equates to 52 successes
•    Waikato are currently on a ten match and 12 month losing streak in Shield rugby
•    When Waikato took the Shield off Taranaki in 2012, they had lost more games than they had won and recorded the Ranfurly Shield record high of 46 points against Taranaki

For more information, please contact;
Will Johnston
TRFU Media Manager
will@trfu.co.nz
0273 48 38 31
 

Article added: Friday 07 September 2018