http://www.genesistaranaki.co.nz en-nz Taranaki Rugby Football Union 30 http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400 For the first time in decades the Taranaki rugby side will play a competition match without a player with at least 50 matches for the province beside his name. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401 The find of last year's forward pack is back and more than ready to touch, pause and engage his opposition. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402 The odds might be short on him joining the Western Force for next year's Super 15 rugby competition but first five-eighth Willie Ripia's attention is squarely on Taranaki's national provincial championship campaign. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393 The song of the Cast Iron Chicken reverberated around Yarrow Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Tukapa broke a five-year title drought to take out the Taranaki premier division rugby competition. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391 There was no shortage of optimism swirling around the official launch of the Taranaki rugby side yesterday as the players, managers and support staff fronted up to a swag of sponsors in New Plymouth. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392 The top Taranaki rugby side is starting to take shape a week out from the opening national provincial championship match against Northland. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389 Taranaki's off-season signings introduced themselves to the province in style yesterday, playing a big part in upsetting Waikato 28-17 in a pre-season rugby match in Hawera. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388 The five names to be left out of Taranaki coach Colin Cooper's national championship squad should become clearer today after a number of players are put to the test against a powerful Waikato side in Hawera. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387 Rookie first five-eighth Beauden Barrett has been given another opportunity to stake his claim in the Taranaki ITM Cup squad after being named to start against Waikato in Hawera tomorrow. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384 It is one of the biggest honour rolls in New Zealand rugby – the list of Taranaki players to reach 100 games. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385 Teenage first five-eighth Beauden Barrett will make his Taranaki debut against Hawke's Bay tomorrow, with Hurricanes No10 Willie Ripia still on annual leave after his involvement in the New Zealand Maori centenary series. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383 New Taranaki rugby captain Craig Clarke believes his side can challenge for a semifinal spot in this year's national championship. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381 Colin Cooper has sprung a late selection surprise with the inclusion of Hurricanes wing David Smith in the Taranaki rugby squad. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381379 Taranaki loose forward Jarrad Hoeata has been named to start at lock for New Zealand Maori's match against Ireland in Rotorua tomorrow night. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381379380 Taranaki will play just one pre-season game at home before the ITM Cup when they host Waikato at the TSB Hub in Hawera. The first-class match, on Friday, July 16, will be for the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy, with the game sandwiched between fixtures against Hawke's Bay and Bay Of Plenty. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381379380378 The All Blacks have vowed to repay fans with an entertaining style of rugby against Ireland after they were mobbed for a second straight day in Taranaki. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381379380378377 Taranaki and Highlanders rugby midfielder Jayden Hayward will turn out for Eltham-Kaponga this weekend, despite the club being relegated from the premier division. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381379380378377374 Taranaki might have missed out on his playing career, but Michael Collins is happy to be back in his old province developing the next generation of players. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381379380378377374373 Ireland are gambling on the fitness of senior lock Paul O'Connell, naming him in their 33-man touring squad to meet the All Blacks and Wallabies despite injury sidelining him since late March. http://www.taranakirugby.co.nz/airnzcup/news-item.asp?id=400401402393391392389388387384385383381379380378377374373364 In a rare move, the Hurricanes halfback has signed on for Taranaki in this year's provincial rugby championship, snubbing franchise partner Wellington in the process.