One of New Zealand rugby’s most exciting rivalries will take centre stage on Friday night when the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls travel to Tasman in the latest round of the Mitre10 Cup in Nelson. 

While this is a relatively new clash, as the two sides have only played 16 times since 2006, the teams have met in some of the most exciting matches – including Ranfurly Shield clashes, semi-finals and finals. 

However, Taranaki has the upper hand traditionally winning 10 matches during the short 12-year history. 

Bulls head coach Willie Rickards has made four starting changes to his side that relinquished the Ranfurly Shield to Waikato on Sunday afternoon 33-19. 

Lock Leighton Price, who was scratched before last Sunday’s match, will make his first start of the competition replacing Jesse Parete. 

Loose forward Lachlan Boshier injured his shoulder last weekend and as a result there has been a shuffle on the side of the scrum. Pita Gus Sowakula gains a start with co-captain Mitchell Crosswell switching to the openside. Toa Halafihi remains at No. 8. 

Halfback and former All Black Brendon Leonard will make his first start for the Bulls replacing Xavier Roe after he suffered an ankle injury. Logan Crowley remains on the bench for the amber and blacks. 

Ciarhan Matoe slots in for Daniel Waite at first five-eighth, who took a blow to his shoulder, and Latu Vaeno replaces Regan Ware on the right wing due to a wrist injury. 

Outside back Avon Lewis will come off the bench, if required. 

The midfield combination of Teihorangi Walden and Seta Tamanivalu will make another start for the amber and blacks along with fullback Beaudein Waaka. 

Despite losing the Shield, the second time against Waikato since 2012, Rickards said the loss was disappointing but is focused on continuing to improve game-by-game. 

“First, we need to acknowledge a good Waikato side. They played very well and deserved the win. We were very disappointed with our first half performance, but we have taken some positives out of the second half.”
“We are looking forward to the challenge against a very good Tasman side.”

Heading into week five of the competition, Taranaki sit four points outside the top four on 10 points in sixth place. Tasman has a game in hand and are in fourth place.  

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls to play Tasman, Friday, 7:35pm;

1.    Jared Proffit
2.    Ricky Riccitelli
3.    Reuben O’Neil 
4.    Jarrad Hoeata
5.    Leighton Price
6.    Pita Sowakula
7.    Mitchell Crosswell (cc)
8.     Toa Halafihi
9.     Brendon Leonard
10.    Ciarhan Matoe
11.    Manasa Matele
12.    Teihorangi Walden
13.    Seta Tamanivalu
14.    Latu Vaeno
15.    Beaudein Waaka
Reserves: 
16.    Scott Mellow
17.    Chris Gawler
18.    Jarrod Firth
19.    Kane Thompson
20.    Tom Florence
21.    Logan Crowley
22.    Brayton Northcott-Hill
23.    Avon Lewis

Unavailable due to All Black duties: Beauden Barrett, Scott Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Waisake Nahalo, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Angus Ta'avoa.
Season ending injuries: Bradley Slater (back), Mitchell Graham (leg), Fin Hoeata (shoulder), Mitchell Brown (knee), Sean Wainui (shoulder), Kiniviliame Naholo (ankle), Marty McKenzie (hip).
Not available for this game due to injury: Lachlan Boshier (shoulder), Xavier Roe (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Daniel Waite (shoulder), Regan Ware (wrist).

Key Facts: 

•    Taranaki and Tasman have played each other 16 times between 2006 and 2017 – during that period Taranaki has won 10 times and Tasman six
•    Tasman beat Taranaki in last year’s Mitre10 Cup semi-final in New Plymouth 30-29
•    Taranaki’s last win over Tasman was in the 2017 competition winning 40-26
•    Taranaki’s biggest score was in the 2012 Ranfurly Shield match winning 49-40
•    Tasman’s largest win came in 2015 winning 35-17
•    The largest points differential was in their first outing where Taranaki won by 25 points (42-17) in 2006

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact;
Will Johnston
TRFU Media Manager
0273483831
will@trfu.co.nz 

Article added: Thursday 13 September 2018