Development team head north again

The trickle down effect has already being felt by Taranaki Development rugby coach Ngatai Walker as they head to Albany to take on North Harbour in their second Northern Regions competition match.

Injuries to several backs in Taranaki’s national provincial championship squad has meant Walker has lost two influential players with Isaia Tuifua and Trinity Spooner-Neera promoted while fullback Jayson Potroz is unavailable.

Walker knows that’s par for the course with the development team and was happy with the fact he could still use the likes the Blake Hohaia and Pomare Samupo in his midfield while he was comfortable switching Eli Kneepkens from the wing to fullback.

There has also been changes up front where hooker Caleb Mawson is out with an ankle injury while flanker Dylan Juffermans was suffering from a sternum problem.

Walker was not complaining about being on the road for the second week running after their 40-26 win over Bay of Plenty in Mt Maunganui last Saturday.

He said their focus was on building some cohesion and learning to work "as a 15" and not as individuals while there has also been plenty of work on defence during the week.

Meanwhile, the Taranaki Under-19 side will play the curtainraiser at Yarrow Stadium when they meet Waikato in their second qualifying game for the national tournament in Taupo.

Taranaki started qualifying with a 22-18 win over Bay of Plenty last Saturday but coach Tim Stuck will know they will have to improve a lot to compete against Waikato who easily defeated Counties Manukau in their first game.

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