The 38-man squad is as follows:
*denotes uncapped player
**denotes capped player with first full contract

Forwards

Hookers

Bradley Slater (NPOB)
Ricky Riccitelli (Tukapa)
Millennium Sanerivi (Inglewood)

Props
Jared Proffit (Clifton)
Mitch O'Neill (NPOB)
Crusader Faletagoa'i (Inglewood)**
Donald Brighouse (NPOB)
Kyle Stewart (Stratford/Eltham)

Locks
Scott Barrett (Coastal)
Josh Lord (Coastal)
Tupou Vaa’i (NPOB)
Jesse Parete (Southern)
Mickey Woolliams (Inglewood)
Stan Van Den Hoven (New signing)*

Loose Forwards
Pita Gus Sowakula (Spotswood)
Tom Florence (NPOB)
Mitch Brown (Inglewood)
Scott Jury (Stratford/Eltham)**
Michael Loft (NPOB)*
Nathaniel Peters (Tukapa)*
Hemopo Cunningham (Stratford/Eltham)**
Kaylum Boshier (NPOB)

Backs

Halfbacks
Liam Blyde (Clifton)
Logan Crowley (Coastal)

Inside Backs
Stephen Perofeta (Clifton)
Beauden Barrett (Coastal)
Daniel Waite (NPOB)
Josh Jacomb (Inglewood)**

Mid-Fielders
Teihorangi Walden (Clifton)
Daniel Rona (Clifton)
Meihana Grindlay (Southern)

Outside backs
Jordie Barrett (Coastal)
Josh Setu (Clifton)*
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Tukapa)
Kini Naholo (Clifton)
Vereniki Tikoisolomone (Stratford/Eltham)
Matt Mckenzie (Clifton)**

Unavailable for the 2022 season
Josh Lord (Injured)
Fin Hoeata (Injured)
Michael Bent (Work commitments)

Reuben O'Neill (Injured)

WIth 28 players retained from the unbeaten Yarrows Taranaki Bulls squad of 2021, continuity was a significant factor in selecting the remaining squad members for the 2022 Bunnings NPC campaign.

A new competition format awaits your Yarrows Taranaki Bulls for the 2022 season, with all provicnial teams vying for one national title. 

With season-ending injuries and All Black call-ups leading into the squad naming, Head Coach Neil Barnes credits the wider playing group for their growth throughout the CMK Club Rugby season.

"We named a wider playing group of over 50 players during the CMK club rugby season, with the pure focus of allowing players to grow their skill sets in the areas the Bulls will use. We've been pleased with the way players have upskilled and this quality has been shown on the park every Saturday". 

With only 5 contracts available initially for the 2022 season, it meant selection was always going to be tough for Barnes and his coaching group.

"Thanks to the help of TCRT, we've been able to use HUDL to analyse every club game this season. We could offer one on ones to players after every game. Selectors had the ability to analyse players in greater detail and we can continue to offer feedback to those that just missed selection to grow through our other rep programs".

With 10 new contracted players in this year's squad, it is a credit to the hard work they've put in to force their way into selection.

Uncapped:
Mitch O'Neill
Stan van den Hoven
Nathaniel Peters
Michael Loft

Capped + First Full Contract:
Scott Jury
Hemopo Cunningham
Josh Jacomb 
Josh Setu 
Matt Mckenzie
Crusader Faletagoa'i

The 10 new players have come via the Taranaki Rugby academy and through sheer performance in the CMK Club Rugby competition over the past two seasons. 

A name that will stick out to some, is the newly signed 2m lock, Stan van den Hoven, who comes to Taranaki via Bay of Plenty and a stint with the Chiefs under Barnes.

"Losing Fin Hoeata and Josh Lord meant we had a genuine need for a 2m lock. Having worked with Stan up at the Chiefs, I know the potential he has and fits the mould of Taranaki player".

The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls start their campaign with two preseason games against BOP, Waikato and Wellington, before the season opener at the iconic Pukekura Park on the 7th of August vs Northland. With less than 800 tickets remaining. You can secure your season membership from $60 for adults and $30 for children.

2022 Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Management
Head Coach - Neil Barnes
Forwards Coach - Jarrad Hoeata
Backs Coach - Brad Cooper
Manager - Aaron Moore 
Head S & C - Sam Ritchie
Assistant S & C - Matt Burgess
Analyst - Doug Neilson
Volunteer Video Analysis - Phillip Marsh & Billy Preston
Physio - Nicola Milby
Doctor - Paul Riley
Player Development - Scott Fuglistaller

 

Pre-Season Fixtures

vs BOP | 23rd July 12 PM | Te Awamutu

vs Wellington | 30th July 2 PM | Waverly
 

Full 2022 Bunnings NPC Fixtures

Article added: Friday 15 July 2022