By Glenn McLean

Young utility forward Kaylum Boshier will play his 20^th and blazer game for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls when they host Hawke’s Bay in their final Mitre 10 Cup round robin match at Inglewood’s TET Stadium & Events Centre on Sunday.

The 21-year-old has been a stand-out contributor for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls in 2020, either at No 8 or when he has been asked to step into the second row, something he will again do against the Magpies.

The former New Zealand Under-19 cricketer will partner teenage lock Josh Lord in a side that features several changes from the one which defeated Manawatu last Sunday in Feilding.

Injuries have meant a number of players are unavailable this week, including Daniel Waite (groin), Brayton Northcott-Hill (concussion), Lisati Milo-Harris (ankle), Mitchell Brown (concussion), Fin Hoeata (shoulder), Chris Gawler (Achillies) and Ben May (Achillies).

Although the injury list looks extensive, the good news for Bulls fans is most of the players are expected to be fit for the following week’s semifinal against either Hawke’s Bay or Otago.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls coach Willie Rickards has called New Plymouth Old Boys halfback Shaan Waite and Clifton midfielder Daniel Rona into the 23-man squad for the match while there is also a potential debut for Inglewood’s Crusader Faletagoa’i.

Experienced halfback Warwick Lahmert will start in the No 9 jersey with Lukas Halls coming into the midfield with Rona and Waite on the bench.

Rickards said the squad took plenty of positives out of last week’s victory, especially their second half performance.

“We have been stressing the need to be more accurate and pay a bit more attention to some of our decision making and I think we addressed that in the second 40 against Manawatu.

“The boys are really looking forward to playing against one of the sides who have really set the benchmark in the Championship division this season.”

There will be plenty of incentive for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls players to score this week, with proud major sponsors Atlas Professionals donating $200 for every point scored towards the Conductive Education Taranaki Trust.

Kick-off is 2.05pm.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls: Jayson Potroz, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Lukas Halls, Sean Wainui ©, Lewis Ormond, Stephen Perofeta, Warwick Lahmert, Pita Gus Sowakula, Lachlan Boshier ©, Tom Florence, Kaylum Boshier, Josh Lord, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves, Ricky Riccitelli, Donald Brighouse, Crusader Faletagoa’i, Jarrad Hoeata, Mitchell Crosswell, Shaan Waite, Daniel Rona, Codey Rei.

Article added: Friday 13 November 2020