Bulls contracts up for grabs

The last round of the CMK premier club rugby competition will prove critical for players eyeing an amber and black jersey later this season.

Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) announced its current contracted players for this year’s national provincial championship. There are seven spots available, in a range of positions to add to the existing 22-man squad.

Taranaki Bulls coach Neil Barnes is looking for a tighthead prop, lock, loose forward, halfback, second-five eight, centre and wing to complete the squad.

The CMK club competition will head into its second-round next weekend when points from the first round are halved.

It will mean those players gunning for a position will need to perform for their club to earn a call-up into the squad.

There has been emphasis in previous season to select local players rather than buying in imports.

A message Barnes emphasised when he was appointed to the coaching role in February.

“I’ve always believed there is talent in our province. It’s a matter of identifying it,” he said.

“It’s growing the whole situation rather than looking at a player and saying he’s not quite at rep standard but with a bit of work he could be.”

Halfback Logan Crowley and prop Kyle Stewart were previously unwanted under previous coach Willie Rickards and now find their way back in the squad.

Crowley spent the last two seasons playing for Southland, while Stewart had a season in Manawatu.

Centre Sean Wainui is not included in the existing squad after playing 55 matches for the Bulls.

His New Plymouth Old Boys teammate and prop Donald Brighouse is also not included in the squad. He could be a likely candidate to fill a position and add to his 20 Taranaki caps.

All Blacks Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett were named in the squad, but it’s not certain if they will play a part in the Taranaki make-up this season. Beauden and Jordie played two matches at the start of last year’s domestic season.

Most players from last year remain contracted including Kaylum and Lachlan Boshier, Reuben O’Neill, Pita Gus Sowakula, Jacob Ratumiatavuki-Kneepkens and Jayson Potroz.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls current contracted players: Reuben O’Neill, Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, Ricky Riccitelli, Kyle Stewart, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Kylum Boshier, Mitch Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Tom Florence, Pita Gus Sowakula, Logan Crowley, Beauden Barrett, Stephen Perofeta, Kini Naholo, Daniel Waite, Lukas Halls, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jordie Barrett, Jayson Potroz.