Barrett brothers team up for Taranaki

 

Will Johnston

 When Jordie Barrett runs out on to the field at TET Stadium in Inglewood, it will be the first time the All Black has played for Taranaki.

Jordie, who signed for the Bulls in 2017, will be at fullback for the the opening round of the Mitre 10 Cup on Sunday against Bay of Plenty.

Barrett, 23,  has played 17 All Black tests  and  12 provincial games for Canterbury, making  his debut as a teenager in 2016 while at studying at Lincoln University. On Sunday he will play alongside his older brother Beauden, who has been named at first-five eighth. Beauden notched up 26 matches for Taranaki and last played against Otago in 2015. 

The side features three other debutants.

The Barretts are two of many All Blacks released for the first round of the competition, including fellow Taranaki lock Tupou Vaa’i. All Black captain Sam Cane will take the field with Bay of Plenty.

Coach Willie Rickards said in a statement he was excited about Sunday’s line up.

“It’s not every day or every match you can name two Barretts in your run-on side and we know how much quality they will bring. Their presence, along with a number of our guys who have come in, has given the entire squad a real boost at a really exciting time for us all.”

Rickards added that while the side didn’t pick up any pre-season wins the coaching group was more than satisfied with the work the players have put into the start of the season.

Rickards selected a near full-strength Taranaki side with the return of its Super Rugby players.

Prop Ben May will earn his first start for the amber and blacks after he played in the pre-season. He will be alongside Jared Profitt and Ricky Riccitelli in the front row.  Vaa’i will lock alongside the promising Josh Lord.

The loose forward trio looks strong with captain Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier and Mitchell Crosswell all named to start. It will be Crosswell’s first game since 2018.

It’s a Super Rugby feel in the midfield as Teihorangi Walden and Sean Wainui team-up.

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will make his debut for the province named on the wing with the return of Lewis Ormond on the opposite side. Ormond will make his debut after three seasons with Southland, notching up 31 games and 40 points for the Stags.

There is depth on the bench with hooker Bradley Slater and flankers Tom Florence and Kaylum Boshier named.

With Beauden’s back at fullback, Potroz drops back to the reserves, the first match he hasn’t started in since 2018.

Codey Rei could make his return for Taranaki, for the first time since 2015, if required off the bench.  

Taranaki is still missing Pita-Gus Sowakula, Finn Hoeata, Scott Barrett and Stephen Perofeta due to injury.

Due to the injury of All Blacks captain Sam Cane and teammate Brodie Retallick’s sabbatical, the visitors won’t field any All Blacks, but former Taranaki halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will wear Steamers colours after moving back home at the end of last season.

They will also field several promising Super Rugby players. 

The match will double as a Chiefs Country Cup match, a trophy played among Chiefs regions, currently held by Bay of Plenty. 

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a limited crowd will be in attendance, limited to sponsors and members only.

Kickoff is at 2:05pm.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls team to play Bay of Plenty, Sunday, September 13, TET Stadium, 2:05pm.

1.      Jared Profitt

2.      Ricky Riccitelli

3.      Ben May*

4.      Josh Lord

5.      Tupou Vaa’i

6.      Mitchell Brown ©

7.      Lachlan Boshier

8.      Mitchell Crosswell

9.      Lisati Milo-Harris

10.  Beauden Barrett

11.  Lewis Ormond*

12.  Teihorangi Walden

13.  Sean Wainui

14.  Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens*

15.  Jordie Barrett*

Reserves:

16.  Bradley Slater

17.  Reuben O’Neill

18.  Donald Brighouse

19.  Tom Florence

20.  Kaylum Boshier

21.  Warwick Lahmert

22.  Jayson Potroz

23.  Codey Rei

 

*debut match