Second motivation for development team
The opportunity to finish second and beat competition winners Auckland should be all the motivation the Taranaki Development side need when they head to Eden Park for their final Northern Regions competition match on Saturday.
Two losses in successive weeks meant Taranaki were not able to get into a position to defend their title.
They did give themselves an outside chance when they beat North Harbour 29-26 last Saturday in New Plymouth.
However, Auckland then subsequently beat Counties Manukau to keep their eight-point margin over Taranaki at the top of the table heading into the last round.
Taranaki coach Ngatai Walker has made several changes to from last week.
Taranaki Mitre 10 Cup squad member Mike Kainga is unavailable after he came off the bench against Tasman at Yarrow Stadium.
He has been replaced by Paulo Leleisiuao while Jacob Northcott and Jack White also come into the front row.
Former Taranaki centre Avon Lewis has also recovered from injury and will start while Matty McKenzie also returns at fullback. Taranaki Development: Matty McKenzie, Liam Blyde, Avon Lewis, Daniel Waite, Liam Ward, Jayson Potroz, Warwick Lahmert, Matthew Kissick (c), Dylan Juffermans, Ethan Perrett, Micaiah Torrance-Read, Jack Jordan, Pualo Leleisiuao, Jack White, Jacob Northcott. Reserves, Bradley Slater, Asa Sorovaki, Liam Hurley, Mikaere Bell, Cole Blyde, Henry Miles, Meli Naholo.
❚ The Taranaki secondary schools side has been revived with a selection XV named to play Auckland at Sanders Park on Saturday.
‘‘Under-18 rep rugby has somewhat died in the last few years due to the rise of first XV rugby and the Jock Hobbs national under-19 tournament,’’ Taranaki Rugby academy manager David Ormrod said. ‘‘So this puts the best of our schoolboy talent together in one team, wearing the Taranaki jersey.
‘‘It’s great recognition for those players who have performed well for their school throughout the 2017 season.’’
Made up of year 12 and 13 students, the under-18 A secondary schools team will be captained by New Plymouth Boys’ High School loose forward Michael Loft. Fullback Isaac RatumaitavukiKneepkens has been named vicecaptain.
Kick-off is 1pm.
Taranaki Secondary Schools: Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Chris Bryan, Josh Setu, Mason Porteous, Jamahl Hapi, Hanley Setu, Jack Hartley, Paaris Fa’apulou, Michael Loft (c), Shamus Hurley-Langton, Daniel Guthrie, Brad Saxton, Corrigan Millar, Chandler Hayward-Kingi, Coby McCook. Reserves, Lachlan Jones, Connor White, Tobias Stark, Jordan Roylance, Malakhi Falaniko, Jackson Sinclair, Daniel Rona, Zane Firth.
❚ The Taranaki Under-16 side play their last match of the season against Thames Valley at Sanders Park. Kick-off is 12pm.