Top four place on the line for Yarrows Taranaki Bulls


By Glenn McLean

A top-four place in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship play-offs could be on the line for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls when they meet Manawatu in Feilding on Sunday.

If Southland fail to beat Otago in their match on Friday night, then a win for Yarrows Taranaki Bulls would be enough to ensure they make the top four with a week to spare.

Conversely, if results go against them, then it might come down to their last home match against Hawke's Bay the following week at Inglewood's TET Stadium & Events Centre to cement a play-off spot.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls head coach Willie Rickards has made several changes to the squad which narrowly lost last round to Counties Manukau, bringing in a fresh front row of Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater and Donald Brighouse.

Captain Mitchell Brown moves back into the second row for an injured Findlamor Hoeata with Mitchell Crosswell coming into the side of the scrum.

The backline remains relatively the same, the exception being at second five-eighth where Daniel Waite returns from injury.

There is good news on the reserves bench with Pita Gus Sowakula also recovering from injury while Rickards will be able to call on plenty of experience with the likes of Ricky Riccitelli and Reuben O'Neill from the match day 23.

“We will head south desperate to get points” Rickards said.

"We have the utmost respect for Manawatu. They are a tough side to beat at home. This was evident in their win over Southland in Feilding last weekend.” 

YARROWS TARANAKI BULLS: Jayson Potroz, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Sean Wainui, Daniel Waite, Lewis Ormond, Stephen Perofeta, Lisati Milo-Harris, Kaylum Boshier, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Crosswell, Mitchell Brown ©, Josh Lord, Donald Brighouse, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Gawler, Reuben O'Neill, Pita Gus Sowakula, Tom Florence, Warwick Lahmert, Lukas Halls, Codey Rei.


Article added: Friday 06 November 2020

 

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