Rugby: Barrett is back, Proffit to celebrate 100th

Photo supplied by Taranaki Rugby

Taranaki will welcome back Beauden Barrett and celebrate several player milestones in Sunday’s final-round NPC clash against Wellington at Stadium Taranaki.

The Bulls sit equal sixth heading into round 10 but could finish the regular season as high as third with results going their way.

More than 5500 tickets had been sold by Wednesday morning for the 2.05pm kick-off.

There are several changes to the side which beat Hawke’s Bay 50-14 in Napier last weekend, with Barrett named at fullback for his first Taranaki appearance in six years.

His last match for the province came in the 23-22 Ranfurly Shield win over Canterbury in Christchurch in 2020, while Sunday will be his first appearance for Taranaki at Stadium Taranaki since 2015 after he played for the province at Inglewood in 2020. 

Barrett’s inclusion at fullback sees Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens shift to the right wing.

His brother Scott Barrett will start in the second row after making his return from injury against Hawke’s Bay, where he earned just his second cap for the province.

Loosehead prop Jared Proffit will bring up his 100th appearance for Taranaki.

The Clifton front-rower will become the 33rd player to reach the milestone for the province and the first Taranaki centurion in 17 years.

Proffit made his debut off the bench against Auckland at Eden Park in 2015 and has since been part of Taranaki’s 2023 NPC title-winning side and Ranfurly Shield successes in 2017, 2020 and 2025.

Daniel Rona is also set to reach a milestone, with the Clifton and New Plymouth Boys’ High School product named at second-five for his 50th appearance.

Fiti Sa returns from a serious knee injury suffered against Counties Manukau in round two and is named on the bench for what will be his 20th match for Taranaki.

Sunday’s match is Taranaki’s final opportunity to improve its seeding ahead of the NPC playoffs.

Kick off is at 2.05pm.

Taranaki team:

Beauden Barrett, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Meihana Grindlay, Daniel Rona, Kini Naholo, Josh Jacomb, Adam Lennox, Arese Poliko, Michael Loft, Josefa Namosimalua, Scott Barrett, Jesse Parete, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves: JJ Pokai, Perry Lawrence, Keightley Watson, Jayden Sa, Fiti Sa, Logan Crowley, Sam Clarke, Seta Tamanivalu.