Rugby: Boshier ruled out, All Blacks return

Photo by LDV Photography

Taranaki will welcome back two All Blacks as they enter a crucial stage of their NPC playoff push against Southland at Stadium Taranaki on Sunday.

Hooker Bradley Slater and first-five Josh Jacomb have returned to the starting side after being away on the All Blacks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa.

Their return provides a timely boost for Taranaki, who sit equal eighth heading into the final three rounds of the regular season, with just four competition points separating sixth and 10th.

Sunday’s match against the Southland Stags, which kicks off at 5.05pm, therefore shapes as an important one for Taranaki’s hopes of securing a top-eight finish.

The Bulls will be without captain Kaylum Boshier, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a hand injury in last week’s last-minute 27-25 loss to Manawatū in Palmerston North.

Michael Loft is also unavailable after suffering a concussion in the match.

Their absence has prompted a reshuffle of the loose forwards, with Josefa Namosimalua starting at blindside flanker, Scotty Jury moving from lock to openside and Arese Poliko starting at No 8.

There are further changes to the forward pack, with Reuben O’Neill and Jayden Sa promoted to the starting side after making their returns from injury off the bench against Manawatū.

O’Neill starts at tighthead prop, while Sa comes into the second row.

Taranaki have also regained some firepower out wide, with Kini Naholo returning on the left wing after missing last week's match with a hamstring niggle.

Willem Ratu switches to the right wing.

Adam Lennox has been named among the reserves after an extended absence with a back problem, while Clifton's Sage Walters-Hansen is also included and is in line to make his 20th appearance for Taranaki.

The Bulls remain without several players through injury, including All Blacks captain Scott Barrett, who is expected to be available next week as he continues his return from a long-term back injury.

Logan Crowley, Fiti Sa, Chris Vunipola and Olly Lawson are all expected to remain sidelined for another one to two weeks.

Seta Tamanivalu remains unavailable while representing Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Taranaki are chasing a response after their defeat to Manawatū ended a 10-match winning run over the Turbos and left the Bulls firmly involved in a congested battle for the NPC playoffs.