Rugby: Several Taranaki picked in Super Rugby squads

Photo by John Velvin

Twenty-two Taranaki rugby players have been named across seven Super Rugby Pacific franchises for the 2027 season.

Nineteen players have secured full contracts, while another three have been selected in wider training groups.

The Chiefs have the largest contingent with seven fully contracted players, including All Blacks Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa'i, while the Highlanders have four and the Hurricanes three.

The Blues have retained Beauden Barrett and Bradley Slater, while All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is Taranaki's sole representative at the Crusaders.

Taranaki will also have representation across the Tasman and in Fiji, with prop Reuben O'Neill joining the Western Force and Josefa Namosimalua heading to the Fijian Drua.

The selections follow another strong NPC campaign for Taranaki, who reached the semifinals before being eliminated by eventual champions Canterbury.

Three further Taranaki players, JJ Pokai, Keightley Watson and Haki Wiseman, have been selected in the Chiefs' wider training group.

Full Super Rugby squads

Chiefs (7): Kaylum Boshier, Josh Lord, Jared Proffit, Daniel Rona, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Tupou Vaa'i.
Highlanders (4): Meihana Grindlay, Josh Jacomb, Adam Lennox, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Hurricanes (3): Jordie Barrett, Kini Naholo, Arese Poliko.
Blues (2): Beauden Barrett, Bradley Slater.
Crusaders (1): Scott Barrett.
Western Force (1): Reuben O'Neill.
Fijian Drua (1): Josefa Namosimalua.

Wider training group selections
Chiefs (3): JJ Pokai, Keightley Watson, Haki Wiseman.