MEDIA RELEASE
15 August 2019  

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls head coach Willie Rickards is striving for consistency by making minimal changes to his side to play Manawatu at Central Energy Trust Stadium in Palmerston North on Saturday afternoon.

Four changes have been made to the run-on XV that beat Counties Manukau 39-24 in the opening round of the Mitre 10 Cup last Saturday.

Rickards said it’s important to select the best team available as all matches in the competition are crucial whether they’re championship or premiership games.

He was satisfied with the first match of the season that included solid performances by the Bulls, he said.

“It was a great battle in Pukekohe, and it gives us a positive foundation to work off. Equally it’s just as important that we put our strongest team on the park week in, week out.”

After being withdrawn prior to kick-off last week, hooker Ricky Riccitelli has recovered and will make a start for Taranaki. Scott Mellow will move back to the bench, where he was originally selected last week.

Lock Jesse Parete will start swapping with Tupou Vaa’i.

Loose forward Kaylum Boshier moves to the bench promoting Heiden Bedwell-Curtis to the starting XV.

Wing Waisake Naholo knocked his knee against Counties Manukau which rules him out for Saturday but brother, Kini, earns a start in the only backline change.

On the bench, halfback Lisati Milo-Harris could play his maiden match for Taranaki replacing Warwick Lahmert and Brayton Northcott-Hill joins the match day 23.

Rickards said Taranaki has had a proud playing history against Manawatu and is looking forward to the match.

Manawatu lost to Hawkes Bay 31-13 in the rain on Sunday.

Taranaki played Manawatu in a pre-season match in Hawera and won 32-12.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls v Manawatu, Central Energy Trust Arena, Saturday, 2:05pm.

1. Reuben O’Neill (31 caps)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (18)
3. Donald Brighouse (1)
4. Jesse Parete (10)
5. Mitch Brown (c) (28)
6. Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (2)
7. Lachlan Boshier (32)
8. Pita-Gus Sowakula (16)
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (34)
10. Daniel Waite (8)
11. Kini Naholo (3)
12. Teihorangi Walden (11)
13. Sean Wainui (36)
14. Jackson Ormond (58)
15. Jayson Potroz (4)
Reserves:
16. Scott Mellow (8)
17. Chris Gawler (12)
18. Kyle Stewart (6)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (4)
20. Kaylum Boshier (2)
21. Lisati Milo-Harris*
22. Regan Verney (1)
23. Brayton Northcott-Hill (10)

*denotes debut

Unavailable for selection: Bradley Slater (concussion), Tom Florence (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral) and Waisake Naholo (knee).

Unavailable for the season: Manasa Mataele (knee) and Finn Hoeata (shoulder).

Stat Chat:
Played: 90, 1890-2018.
Manawatu wins: 24, Taranaki wins: 59, Draws: 7.
Last match: Taranaki 41 Manawatu 21 in New Plymouth 24.08.2018 (RS, M10C)
Last Manawatu win: Manawatu 12 Taranaki 6 in Palmerston North 28.09.2013 (ITMC)
Highest score Manawatu: 39 in Palmerston North 25.08.1991
Highest score Taranaki: 69 in Hawera 4.08.1999
Biggest differential: Taranaki by 57 (69-12) in Hawera 4.08.1999

2019 Results:

Week 1: Counties Manukau W 34-29

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact;

Will Johnston
Communications Advisor
will@trfu.co.nz
0273 48 38 31

Article added: Thursday 15 August 2019