Ball retention key to Port Taranaki Whio this weekend against Northland

Port Taranaki Whio Assistant Coach Braydon Peterson has put more emphasis on ball retention leading up to his side’s clash against Northland in the Farah Palmer Cup at Inglewood’s TET Stadium on Saturday.

Peterson said if the side holds on to the ball and moves it into space the side will be in a much better place in the match.

He said the side had prepared well all week and was looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd.

Peterson and head coach Matt Stone have made a handful of changes to the side, who are coming off a 74-0 loss to Hawke’s Bay last week.

Fullback Kate Parkinson makes her first start of the season after being named on the bench against Hawke's Bay. As a result, Brooke Neilson moves to the wing in place of Kaya Kahui.

Nattie Haupapa moves into No. 8, moving co-captain Jalana Smith to flanker. That pushes Jessica Lampe on to the bench.

Their opponent this weekend, Northland, is new to the competition and sits four points ahead of Taranaki in the championship division of the competition.

Northland won its first match last weekend, scoring a try in the final minutes against North Harbour at home.

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Port Taranaki Whio to play Northland, Saturday,  September 28, TET Stadium, Inglewood, 2.30pm;

1.      Bethany Gobbs

2.      Petra Zwart

3.      Leah Barnard

4.      Sharee Brown

5.      Victoria McCullough

6.      Jalana Smith (cc)

7.      Miriam Karalus

8.      Nattie Haupapa

9.      Iritana Hohaia

10.  Brooke Sim (cc)

11.  Brooke Neilson

12.  Chelsea Fowler

13.  Elle Johns

14.  Catriona Tulloch

15.  Kate Parkinson

Reserves:

16.  Donia King

17.  Mikeey Callaghan

18.  Lisa Appert

19.  Jessica Lampe

20.  Alesha Williams

21.  Anna Cole

22.  Sarah Winter

Management:

Coach: Matt Stone
Assistant Coach: Braydon Peterson

Assistant Coach: Daniel Brookes

Managers: Richard Corry & Nicole Chamberlain