Rugby: Kini brings up 50, Rona out of semi

Photo by John Velvin

Taranaki winger Kini Naholo will celebrate his 50th provincial appearance when the Bulls take on Canterbury in Sunday’s NPC semifinal in Christchurch.

The 26-year-old has been a prolific try scorer since making his Taranaki debut against Poverty Bay in a preseason Ranfurly Shield match in 2018, scoring 33 tries in 49 appearances.

His milestone comes as Taranaki look to continue their impressive late-season form, having scored 50 points or more in each of their last four matches.

Jarrad Hoeata’s side booked their place in the semifinals with a 50-31 win over North Harbour at Albany last Saturday, becoming the first away team to win an NPC playoff match in 12 attempts.

However, the Bulls will be without midfielder Daniel Rona, who suffered a concussion during the quarterfinal and did not return to the field.

Former All Black Seta Tamanivalu will replace Rona at second five-eighth, partnering Meihana Grindlay in the midfield.

Hoeata has made two other changes to the starting side, with lock Fiti Sa and captain Kaylum Boshier both promoted from the bench.

Sa will start alongside Jesse Parete in the second row after making his return from a knee injury in round 10, while his brother Jayden moves to the reserves.

Boshier, who also returned from a hand injury against North Harbour, will start at No. 8, with Arese Poliko providing loose forward cover from the bench.

New Zealand Under-20 captain and Taranaki academy midfielder Jack Wiseman has also been included in the matchday 23.

Taranaki missed the semifinals in the previous two seasons, having last reached this stage in 2023, when they beat Canterbury 23-16 in New Plymouth before going on to win the competition the following week.

The Bulls will be looking to repeat that success against Canterbury, with a place in next weekend’s NPC final at stake.

Sunday’s semifinal kicks off at 3.35pm in Christchurch.

Taranaki team:

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Meihana Grindlay, Seta Tamanivalu, Kini Naholo, Sam Clarke, Adam Lennox, Kaylum Boshier (c), Michael Loft, Josefa Namosimalua, Fiti Sa, Jesse Parete, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit. Reserves: JJ Pokai, Perry Lawrence, Keightley Watson, Jayden Sa, Arese Poliko, Logan Crowley, Jamie Viljoen, Jack Wiseman.