NGATAI RETURNS
Captain Charlie Ngatai has been named on the bench for Taranaki’s Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury on Friday night.
The one-test All Black, who spent a year out of rugby battling concussion-related symptoms before returning for the Chiefs midway through this year’s Super Rugby season, has not played for Taranaki since he suffered another head knock against Bay of Plenty on September 15.
‘‘Charlie has been cleared and is ready to play,’’ Taranaki coach Colin Cooper said. ‘‘Because he hasn’t played at this intensity level for a few weeks, we are managing him and he will get time off the bench.’’
Ngatai’s return is timely after second five-eighth Johnny Fa’auli was ruled out of the trip to Christchurch with a leg injury, an injury he suffered during last week’s 40-26 win over Tasman.
His absence has seen former All Black Seta Tamanivalu moved from the wing into centre with Sean Wainui, who also impressed against Tasman, moving in a place to second five-eighth.
Overall, the Taranaki side was a predictable one given how well they are starting to play at times.
There was some hope All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo could be made available after he was released form the national squad following the Rugby Championship test against Argentina but he has not been allowed to despite his lack of game time in recent weeks.
Cooper insisted there had been little talk in the lead-up to the top of the table Mitre 10 Cup premiership match about the Ranfurly Shield, a trophy he and the province last won in 2011.
‘‘At the start of the season our goal was to earn a semifinal, which we’ve done. So now our aim is to secure a home finals spot, which is really important for our fans and the union,’’ Cooper added.
‘‘If we play well against Canterbury and get a win, the shield will be a fantastic bonus – hopefully we can achieve both.’’
Cooper and assistant Willie Rickards have opted to carry just two specialist backs in the reserves, a tactic they have used already this season.
‘‘Canterbury are always a very strong team and we expect it will be a big forward battle,’’ Cooper said. ’’We’re also going into the ‘storm’ week, so it’s trying to manage players and trying to keep everyone fresh for what’s ahead.’’
Aside from the return of Ngatai, elsewhere on the bench prop Reuben O’Neill comes in for Jared Proffit, who has an injury, and lock Brad Tucker comes back into the team after missing the past two games. Because of the makeup of the reserves, first five-eighth Ciarahn Matoe drops out of the squad.