Naholo Back For Shield Defence
New Plymouth: Killing time felt like the theme of Taranaki’s captain’s run on the eve of their Ranfurly Shield defence against Manawatu at Yarrow Stadium tonight.
Taranaki assistant coach Willie Rickards admitted as much as the players went through some repetitive work at about the 70 per cent pace ordered from those in charge.
It was understandable, given only four days had since they lifted the Shield after their high scoring 55-43 victory over Canterbury.
The one exception was on the right wing where All Black Waisake Naholo stretched out faster than his peers as he prepared for his first match since playing the Rugby Championship test away in Argentina. His inclusion was the only change to Taranaki’s starting XV from Christchurch with Rickards saying the fact the Shield was on the line had not changed his or coach Colin Cooper’s thinking about who should front Manawatu from the opening whistle. That means another week coming off the bench for Charlie Ngatai who was so influential in the final 35 minutes against Canterbury.
“We always knew this was going to be a tough game,” Rickards said. “Traditionally, the games between us and Manawatu have always been close and our discussions were a few weeks ago that we thought they were trucking really well.
“I think it’s imperative at this time of the year to be backing our guys and picking our strongest team.”
The mantra for Taranaki in the last 48 hours had been the old adage of going out to win the Shield again and the coaching staff thought that was even more important given it was the first defence and it was also an opportunity to share it with the province over summer if they came out on top. Taranaki captain Angus Ta’avao also reflected on how positive the Shield win had been for the squad as they approach their first challenge.
“We have been pretty calm the last couple of days as we seek clarity on what we need to do,” he said.
Taranaki: Marty McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, Manasa Mataele, Stephen Perofeta, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Toa Halafihi, Lachlan Boshier, Pita-Gus Sowakula, Leon Power, Kane Thompson, Angus Ta’avao (c), Ricky Riccitelli, Mitchell Graham, Reserves, Donald Maka, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Fin Hoeata, Adrian Wyrill, Kylem O’Donnell, Charlie Ngatai, Declan O’Donnell.
Manawatu: Kurt Baker, Newton Tudreu, Jason Emery, Ngani Laumape, Ambrose Curtis, Otere Black, Kayne Hammington, Brice Henderson, Antonio Kiri Kiri, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (c), Jackson Hemopo, Tom Parsons, Michael Alaalatoa , Hunter Prescott, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Tim Cadwallader, Tuki Raimona, Sean Paranihi, Liam Hallam-Eames, Harrison Brewer, Jamie Booth, Jade Te Rure, Te Rangatira Waitokia.