Initial squad named for pre-season games

Taranaki development rugby coach Ngatai Walker has named an initial squad to prepare for two pre-season fixtures ahead of the Northern Regions tournament.

While Ngatai has named 25 players, the squad is expected to be changed dramatically after Taranaki coach Colin Cooper names his national provincial championship squad ahead of the annual competition.

That’s because Cooper did not name any of the 10 players involved in Super Rugby in his pre-season squad.

The Taranaki development squad will kick off their pre-season with a match against Heartland side Wanganui in Hawera on Saturday. They follow that with a fixture against Wairarapa Bush in Tikorangi the following Saturday.

Walker is then expected to name a new squad for their final pre-season Taranaki development squad for two pre-season games. Forwards: Zane Neill (Clifton), Scott Mellow (Coastal), Mathew Brown (Inglewood), Baxter King (Tukapa), Brodie Norris (Southern), Murray Turner (Southern), Willie McBride (NPOB), Todd Curtis (Southern), Jack Jordan (Tukapa), Thomas McElroy (NPOB), Cody Mason (Inglewood), Matthew Kissick (Stratford), Hayden Patene (NPOB), Kolaia Nalewabau (Stratford), Trent Pickering (Southern). Backs: Brett Goodin (Coastal), Ryan Bishop (Tukapa), Telly Hemopo (Inglewood), Eli Kneepkens (Tukapa), Mitch Williams (Spotswood United), Paddy Pale (NPOB), Pita Sowakula (Spotswood United), Jayson Potroz (Tukapa), Ben Leng (Inglewood), Taylor Haskell (Clifton).

match against King Country in Mokau on August 13.

Their first competition match is against Bay of Plenty B in Tauranga on August 20, a match that is expected to be the curtain raiser to Taranaki’s opening NPC match.

The Northern Regions tournament has also had a change of format, with the

competition split into two pools. Taranaki has been pooled with Waikato, Counties-Manukau and Northland, with teams playing each other on a home and away basis.

Of the squad Walker has named, Zane Neill, Baxter King, Brett Goodin, Telly Hemopo and Jayson Potroz have been regulars in recent seasons.