Rugby: Bulls make limited changes for Canterbury match

The Taranaki Bulls have made several changes for Saturday afternoon’s NPC clash against Canterbury at Stadium Taranaki.

Taranaki will be looking to build on a much-improved performance in last weekend’s 28-24 loss to Bay of Plenty in Rotorua when the sides meet at 2.05pm.

Michael Loft returns at openside flanker after an injury layoff, replacing Olly Lawson, who suffered a shoulder injury against Bay of Plenty.

In the backs, Meihana Grindlay returns from his two-week suspension and will start at centre in place of Haki Wiseman, who has been ruled out for one to two weeks with an ankle injury.

Loose forward Arese Poliko is also back in the matchday 23 after completing a two-week concussion stand-down and has been named among the reserves.

Taranaki remain without several players through injury, including Jayden Sa, Daniel Rona, Reuben O’Neill, Adam Lennox and Fiti Sa.

Saturday’s match will also double as Clelands Club Day, with registered junior club players receiving free entry and the Bulls wearing their respective club socks.

A Division 2 North versus South representative match will kick off at 11.55am as the curtain-raiser, while junior players will take part in a pre-match club march and halftime sprint.

Elsewhere, the Taranaki Whio will travel to play unbeaten Thames Valley on Saturday after beating King Country 41-10 last weekend. The winner will earn hosting rights for the Northern Regions Development competition final.

Taranaki’s under-20 side will finish its campaign against Auckland after suffering its first loss of the season, 34-29 against Waikato, while the unbeaten Taranaki Development side travels to Hamilton to face Waikato following a 54-24 win over Northland.

Taranaki team to play Canterbury, 2.05pm on Saturday: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Meihana Grindlay, Seta Tamanivalu, Kini Naholo, Sam Clarke, Logan Crowley, Kaylum Boshier, Michael Loft, Iosefa Namosimalua, Jesse Parete, Bradley Tocker, Keightley Watson, JJ Pokai, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Zach Landon-Lane, Perry Lawrence, Marika Parker, Scott Jury, Arese Poliko, Quintony Ngatai, Jamie Viljoen, Willem Ratu.