Rugby: Extended squads assemble ahead of club rugby start

Taranaki Rugby

As an extension of the Taranaki Rugby Academy and the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls contracted squad, the 2024 Extended Training Group has been working on their fitness and skill development, before the CMK Club Rugby season.

The extended training group allows players who show potential to represent the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls to get a taste of the environment and ultimately improve on their club seasons. Working in collaboration with Taranaki clubs, it allows Head Coach, Neil Barnes to build depth in CMK Club Rugby and identify talent ahead of the season.

"We've seen the benefits the extended training group has provided over the past few seasons. Clubs are motivated to upskill their players and we're keen to build depth across multiple positions. It's a win-win for CMK club rugby and the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls," Barnes said. 

Each club has the opportunity to nominate players they see as Yarrows Taranaki Bulls calibre, working in tandem with Taranaki Rugby to develop local players, as well as talent from outside the region that clubs have brought into their squads.

The extended training group will now be involved in CMK Club Rugby, with a reduced squad selected at the end of round one. 

The CMK Club Rugby season is yet to get underway for 2024, but Taranaki Rugby Academy members have already been working hard to develop their strength, skills and rugby knowledge.

The 2024 Taranaki Rugby Academy intake is split into first-year members (school leavers or currently studying) and 2nd-year members who have shown the work ethic and discipline to remain within the programme.

This year's first-year intake is made up of eight men's players and three women's players. With a mix of local talent and players brought into the region who exemplify the qualities of a Taranaki player who will be proud to wear the Amber & Black hoops.

"We're really happy with the spread of talent in our first-year intake. We do all we can to retain local high school talent, but it does provide difficult when competing with a university experience, which we know we can't offer. When going outside our region, there are certain characteristics we look for that will hopefully one day make them into a great Taranaki players. We've seen this in recent years with Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa'i," Academy Manager Jarrad Hoeata said.

With the growth of the women's game, Taranaki Rugby are excited to see the development of our first and second-year women's academy members. A programme that has gone from strength to strength in recent years and paying dividends with our young talent in the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio.

"We've identified the need to invest in our women and girls player at a younger age, in the hope we can offer a pathway and experience that keeps them in the region. Much like the men, university is a big drain on our talent, with most leaving after school. With our first-year intake, we hope to not only develop them as individuals but inspire players around them to do the same," Female Rugby Lead Lisa Appert said.

Players from the Taranaki Rugby Academy will be running around for their respective clubs during the CMK Club Rugby season. They also have the additional benefit of gym and technical work three times a week, food and nutrition support, mental skills coaching plus other small benefits.