YARROWS TARANAKI BULLS DEBUTANTS VERSUS MANAWATU IN FIRST HOME GAME

Kyle Stewart, Brendon Leonard and Regan Ware are potential Yarrows Taranaki Bulls’ debutants as they prepare to host Manawatu on Friday night at Yarrow Stadium.

The three players have been named on the bench for the first home game of the Mitre10 Cup as the amber and blacks look to defend the coveted Ranfurly Shield.

Leonard, former All Black and Waikato halfback, has played for the last two weeks for the AICA Taranaki Development side and will replace Warwick Lahmert on the bench. Stewart, Stratford/Eltham prop, has been a key player in the CMK club rugby competition this season.

All Blacks Sevens representative and outside back Regan Ware is an exciting prospect in the side for this weekend, should he be required.

The inclusion of the possible debutants are part of several changes head coach Willie Rickards has made to the side, who suffered a surprise loss to Bay of Plenty 30-10 last weekend.

The forward pack stays unchanged, while there are two changes and a positional shift in the backline. Daniel Waite moves into first five-eighth to replace the injured Stephen Perofeta. Due to Waite’s move, Seta Tamanivalu moves off the wing into centre and Manasa Mataele slots into the left wing for Sean Wainui who underwent shoulder surgery this week. Latu Vaeno will play on the right wing in his blazer game.

Second five-eighth Teihorangi Walden maintains his position in his first match at home since moving back from Otago.

Along with the likely debutants, Kane Thompson and two cap midfielder Brayton Northcott-Hill are additions on the bench.  

Rickards said Manawatu are a passionate team and will be prepared for the challenge – their third since 2012.

“Manawatu will bring a lot of intensity to the match. However, possession is really important in these Shield clashes and we are looking to follow our processes”.

Not only will Taranaki be playing to protect the Shield but also for their 60th win against their Mitre10 Cup neighbours.  

Spectators will be confined to the ends of Yarrow Stadium due to the main stands being out of action, but that won’t worry Taranaki captain Angus Ta’avoa.

“It could be a bit weird, but our fans are awesome. They’re proud to get out there, they’re vocal and they love getting out to the stadium. The boys love playing there with the mountain in the background to look at and it’s a strong place to play” he said.

Rickards echoed the same comments.

“We have a very vocal crowd and the support base is nice and loud. We will cater for having no one being in the stands there”.

Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Parkinson wants people to get behind the Bulls by turning up on Friday night.

“We need people to support us, get out, come through the turnstiles, pay and fill the terrace ends”. 

The curtain raiser is between North U21 and South U21 and will kick off at 5:20pm on the main field.

Kiosks and food vendors will be operating when the gates open at 5:15pm.

General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased online at www.trfu.co.nz

Yarrows Taranaki vs Manawatu, Yarrow Stadium, 7:45pm; 

  1. Reuben O’Neill
  2. Ricky Riccitelli
  3. Angus Ta’avoa (c)
  4. Jarrad Hoeata
  5. Jesse Parate
  6. Mitchell Crosswell
  7. Lachlan Boshier
  8. Toa Halafihi
  9. Logan Crowley
  10. Daniel Waite
  11. Manasa Mataele
  12. Teihorangi Walden
  13. Seta Tamanivalu
  14. Latu Vaeno
  15. Beaudein Waaka

Reserves:

  1. Donald Maka
  2. Chris Gawler
  3. Kyle Stewart*
  4. Kane Thompson
  5. Pita Gus Sowakula
  6. Brendan Leonard*
  7. Brayton Northcott-Hill
  8. Regan Ware*

 *debutants

 Key Facts: 

  • This week’s clash will be the 91st game between the sides – their first was in 1890
  • Taranaki has won 59 matches, lost 24 and drawn seven since that time
  • Taranaki’s largest win was in 1999 where the amber and blacks won 69-12
  • Manawatu’s largest win came in 1991 winning 39-15
  • These two teams have met six times in Ranfurly Shield matches first in 1914, 1958, 1964, 1977, 2012 and 2017 – Manawatu won in 1977
  • Manawatu first claimed the Ranfurly Shield in 1976 and held it through until 1978 with 13 successful defences
  • Manawatu hasn’t won a championship in New Plymouth since 1986
  • The two teams were inseparable during a six-year period between 1954 and 1960 – there were four draws and a win and a loss-a-piece during that time
  • In recent time, there have been 17 players who played for both Taranaki and Manawatu – most notably Mitchell Crosswell, Kurt Baker, Andre Taylor and Jason Eaton

 -ENDS-

For more information, please contact;Will JohnstonTRFU Media Manager0273483831will@trfu.co.nz


Article added:23 2018

 

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