Rugby: Parete to play 50th match for Taranaki

Taranaki Rugby

Photo by LDV Photography

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Head Coach Jarrad Hoeata has named his playing 23 for Friday night’s opening Hilux NPC home match against Waikato at Stadium Taranaki. Friday’s match kicking off at 7.10pm is presented by the team at PipesNZ.

The two sides play for the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy, Ryan represented Taranaki (55 matches) and Waikato (19 matches) before passing away in 2000.

Jesse Parete (PipeTech) runs out for his 50th match for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls on Friday. A Manaia and Southern Rugby Club product, Parete made his debut in 2014 against Bay of Plenty as a 21-year-old.

That season he was part of the squad that lifted the Hilux NPC title, and he was also part of the 2023 champion Yarrows Taranaki Bulls side.

A versatile forward who has gone on to represent the Chiefs and the Highlanders, Jesse is a great team man and a fierce competitor who wears his heart on his sleeve.

NPBHS and NPOB product JJ Pokai (Super Liquor New Plymouth & Hawera) starts in the hooker jersey following Bradley Slater’s All Blacks elevation. The match doubles as Pokai’s 20th (Blazer) match.

Bradley has also come through the NPBHS and NPOB pathway and has played 73 matches for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls. The Slater name is synonymous with Taranaki Rugby and Bradley’s All Blacks call up is a very proud and well-deserved milestone for the Slater family and Taranaki Rugby.

Stratford Eltham’s Harry Hansen (CMK Chartered Accountants) takes Pokai’s place in the #16 jersey as the replacement hooker.

In other changes, Coastal’s Olly Lawson (Connect Legal) starts in the openside flanker position following Michael Loft’s injury at Pukekohe.

Loft underwent specialist imaging on his neck on Saturday evening and is recovering well. The TRFU would like to acknowledge all medical staff who supported Michael on Saturday, especially TRFU Doctor Tanya Keough and Physiotherapist Nick Arnold.

Jayden Sa (Red Jacket) replaces injured brother Fiti in the second-row and Scott Jury (CMK Chartered Accountants) slots in as a replacement lock.

The following are unavailable due to injury:

Michael Loft - 1-2 weeks
Reuben O’Neill - TBC
Fiti Sa - Knee - TBC
Kini Naholo - 1-2 weeks
Daniel Rona - TBC
Josh Setu - 1 week
Scott Barrett - TBC

Last weekend saw the Taranaki Under 20 team defeat Hawkes Bay 36-10 in Napier and the Taranaki Māori defend the Tuera Shield against Manawatu Māori in Hawera.

Taranaki team to play Waikato on Friday night:

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Meihana Grindlay, Seta Tamanivalu, Willem Ratu, Sam Clarke, Adam Lennox, Kaylum Boshier, Olly Lawson, Arese Poliko, Jesse Parete, Jayden Sa, Marika Parker, JJ Pokai, Jared Proffitt. Reserves: Harry Hansen, Keightley Watson, Dane Johnston, Scott Jury, Sage Walters-Hansen, Logan Crowley, Haki Wiseman, Rocky Olsen.