Yarrows Taranaki Bulls first five-eighth Stephen Perofeta will return for the amber and blacks as they host competition leaders Auckland at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday night.

Perofeta injured his shoulder during Taranaki’s loss to Bay of Plenty in the opening round of the competition and hasn’t played a game since.   

Head coach Willie Rickards said Perofeta’s return boosts the side immensely.

“Stephen is a very talented player and gives 100 per cent in every game he plays. We are very lucky his injury was short term and we are looking forward to having him back this week” he said.

Rickards has made four starting changes to the side that lost 53-17 to Tasman last Friday night.

Chris Gawler returns to loosehead prop in place of Jared Proffit, who drops to the bench in the only front row change.

There has been a shuffle in the loose forward trio. Co-captain Mitchell Crosswell moves to Number 8 for the injured Toa Halafihi, Tom Florence makes a start for the Bulls on the openside and Pita Sowakula will remain on the blindside.  
In the backs, along with Perofeta, Regan Ware has recovered from a wrist injury and gains a start on the right wing in place of Latu Vaeno.

The reserves feature a potential debutant with Inglewood’s Jack White listed to cover the loose forward position.

Auckland’s win over Canterbury on Sunday ensured they surged to the top of the competition – it was their first win in the south since 2009.

Rickards is fully aware of the challenge Auckland will bring.

“We have had some great matches against Auckland, but they are a very good side who have been performing extremely well this year. We are looking forward to the challenge and putting a performance together our supports will be proud of”.

Gates open at 5pm , Taranaki Men in Education will play Manawatu Men in Education in the curtain raiser at 5:15pm.

Tickets start at $20 for adults and $5 for children and are available from gates one and four or www.trfu.co.nz

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls to play Auckland, Saturday, 7:35pm

1. Chris Gawler
2. Ricky Riccitelli
3. Reuben O’Neill
4. Jarrad Hoeata
5. Leighton Price
6. Pita Sowakula
7. Tom Florence
8. Mitchell Crosswell (cc)
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Stephen Perofeta
11. Manasa Mataele
12. Teihorangi Walden (cc)
13. Seta Tamanivalu
14. Regan Ware
15. Beaudein Waaka

Reserves:

16. Donald Maka
17. Jared Proffit
18. Kyle Stewart
19. Tupou Va’ai*
20. Jack White*
21. Logan Crowley
22. Ciarhan Matoe
23. Brayton Northcott-Hill

* debutants

Unavailable due to All Black duties: Beauden Barrett, Scott Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Waisake Nahalo, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Angus Ta'avao.

Not available for this game: Xavier Roe (ankle), Kane Thompson (hamstring), Jesse Parete (suspension) Lachlan Boshier (shoulder), Toa Halafihi (shoulder) and Daniel Waite (shoulder).

Season ending injuries: Bradley Slater (back), Mitchell Graham (leg), Fin Hoeata (shoulder), Mitchell Brown (knee), Sean Wainui (shoulder), Kiniviliame Naholo (ankle), Marty McKenzie (hip).

Player Bios:

Tupou Vaai

Since coming down from Wesley College, Tupou Vaai has been a key part of New Plymouth Old Boys’ championship winning season. The two-metre lock has had experience playing for the New Zealand Schools last year. The 18-year-old has spent the majority of the representative season playing for the CMK Taranaki’s U19 side at the Jock Hobbs National U19 Tournament – where Taranaki finished eighth out of 16 teams.

Jack White

Inglewood’s Jack White has been around the club scene since leaving New Plymouth Boys High School and has been a strong leader in the club side despite being only 21. White can cover both hooker and loose forward and has played for the AICA Taranaki Development XV in 2018.

Key Facts:

• Taranaki and Auckland have played 127 times, Taranaki has won 31 matches, Auckland 87 with nine draws
• Taranaki won the first encounter 2-0 in 1889
• Taranaki’s most successful sequence was three consecutive wins in 1996-98
• Currently, Taranaki are experiencing their most successful run with four wins in five matches – in those matches Taranaki has only one score under 35
• Auckland’s most successful run was 11 consecutive wins in 1952-62
• The most tries scored by Taranaki was eight in 1937 – only one try was converted
• Taranaki’s highest score against Auckland was 49 points in the 2014 NPC semi-final and last year’s match at Eden Park
• The most tries conceded by Taranaki against Auckland was 10 on 1991 – in the same game Taranaki conceded the most points with 55
• Taranaki have scored 1540 points against Auckland who in turn has 2408 points against Taranaki

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact;

Will Johnston

TRFU Media Manager

0273483831   

will@trfu.co.nz

Article added: Friday 21 September 2018