Florence rewarded with Super Rugby call up

Will Johnston

Photo by LDV Photography.

After a standout season for Taranaki in a championship-winning year, Tom Florence has finally been given a Super Rugby contract.

The versatile loose forward is one of 16 Taranaki players named in Super Rugby squads, sporadically announced on Thursday. He’s one of eight Taranaki players in the Chiefs and among three new faces from the region to be given contracts.

Two loose forward positions became available as Pita Gus Sowakula departed for France after Taranaki’s successful domestic season and Sam Cane’s sabbatical to Japan.

Florence was unlucky not to be snapped for last year’s season after a stand-out 2021. Instead, he played for New Orleans in America’s MRL competition this year, then he came back to play for the province. It was a successful year for Florence after he was a joint winner of Taranaki Rugby’s player of the year title with Chiefs teammate Kaylum Boshier.

“I’m happy to have signed with the Chiefs,” he said. “It’s satisfying to know that the hard work I’ve put in for years now is starting to pay dividends.

“This year, I feel my body has matured and I’m able to survive and thrive at higher levels of rugby.”

Florence’s attributes include strong defence, ability to get over the advantage line and physicality at the breakdown, which included many turnovers at key moments.

He said he gained a lot of confidence this year and know his best rugby is yet to come.  

Florence joins teammate Daniel Rona as new contracted players for the Chiefs. Rona made the most of his injury call earlier this year and didn’t look out of place for the franchise.

The other Taranai players in the Chiefs squad include Boshier, Josh Lord, Reuben O’Neill, Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater and Tupou Vaa’i.

Midfielder Meihana Grindlay’s been snapped up by the Blues squad after an outstanding national provincial championship, which includes scoring the opening try in the final. The former Kings College player showed what he’s capable of this season with plenty of line breaks on attack. Beauden Barrett is an omission from the Blues because of his deal with Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese competition.

Prop Donald Brighouse has been signed by Moana Pasifika after he played for the Crusaders in 2018, while outside back Jacob Ratumaitavuku-Kneepkens switched to the Highlanders, announced in July. It's a positive move by the promising player, after he struggled to find game time with the Blues.

Jordie Barrett and Kini Naholo are back with the Hurricanes, while his brother Scott remains at the Crusaders. 

After stand-out seasons for Taranaki, Josh Jacomb and Adam Lennox both missed out on full-time contracts, but were given wider-training deals along with Mills Sanerivi.

Former New Plymouth Boys’ High School back Jone Rova has been signed by the Crusaders after playing for the New Zealand U20s last year.

Taranaki Super Rugby players:

Chiefs: Kaylum Boshier, Tom Florence*, Josh Lord, Reuben O’Neill, Jared Profitt, Daniel Rona*, Bradley Slater, Tupou Vaa’i.

Blues: Ricky Riccitelli, Stephen Perofeta, Meihana Grindlay*.

Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Moana Pasifika: Donald Brighouse.

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Kini Naholo.

Crusaders: Scott Barrett.

*New contracts