Changes for Taranaki’s next quest against Otago

Will Johnston

Photo: Wing Vereniki Tikoisolomone earns a start for Taranaki this weekend against Otago. Photo by LVD Photography.

Taranaki coach Neil Barnes has made wholesale changes to his side ahead of Saturday night’s national provincial championship match against Otago in Dunedin.

A combination of injuries and players needing rest time are behind the changes, as Taranaki looks to snap a three-match losing streak.

Taranaki lost to Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Tasman after a rocketing start which saw them win three matches after their storm week in the early stages of the season. Taranaki could have beaten Bay of Plenty and Canterbury if their place-kicking game was accurate, while mistakes cost them against Tasman on Sunday at Yarrow Stadium.

After not featuring in last week’s loss, hooker Bradley Slater moves back into the starting lineup. Tom Franklin returns from a quad injury to start at lock, in his second start for Taranaki.

There have been more changes to the backline. With Jayson Potroz rested, Stephen Perofeta, who hasn’t been at his scintillating best this season, moves to first-five eighth and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to fullback.

The shift means flying winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone starts and will hope to inject some penetration into the backline early like he does when he comes off the bench.

Meihana Grindlay and Daniel Rona will look to ignite the attack in a new midfield combination, as Teihorangi Walden is being rested this week.

Josh Jacob and Brayton Northcott-Hill earn bench spots after strong development performances.

It’s still unclear when Josh Lord will be back from All Blacks duties despite playing against South Africa three weeks ago, while Hemopo Cunningham is out for a week because of concussion.

Barnes will want the team to sharpen up on their accuracy since their loss to Tasman.

They created plenty of opportunities on attack but failed to complete extra phases given the lack of accuracy inside Tasman’s 22.

The loss dropped them from second to fifth on the table. They have bagged eight bonus points, the second best in the competition behind Canterbury with 10.

Taranaki can still make the quarterfinals but will need to win at least two out of the next three games to host a play-off match in New Plymouth.

Meanwhile, Otago sits in 11^th place on the standings with two wins from seven matches.

Kick-off is at 7:05pm.

Taranaki team to play Otago:

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Daniel Rona, Meihana Grindlay, Kini Naholo, Stephen Perofeta, Logan Crowley, Kaylum Boshier, Tom Florence, Pita Gus Sowakula, Tom Franklin, Jesse Parete, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Donald Brighouse, Michael Bent, Fiti Sa, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Josh Jacomb, Brayton Northcott-Hill.