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Injuries hit Taranaki Bulls ahead of clash with Waikato

Will Johnston

Taranaki Bulls coach Neil Barnes has made several changes to his rugby side to face Waikato today after players were sidelined by injuries after last week’s match against Otago.

Reuben O’Neill, Fin Hoeata, Lachlan Boshier and Mitchell Brown all suffered injuries in last week’s win.

Boshier, Brown are gone for the season while Hoeata is back in two weeks and O’Neill will be assessed on a week-to-week basis.

Mitchell Crosswell and Jesse Parete, who were injured previously, are also being assessed on a week-to-week basis but are unavailable this week.

The injuries mean Barnes has made several changes, which could see debuts for two players.

Lock Micky Woolliams joins the team on loan from Southland and will slot into the second row in place of All Black recruit Josh Lord.

Originally from Wellington, the 25-year-old signed up for Manawatu¯ .

He was earmarked to play for the Turbos before shifting north and representing Counties Manukau 11 times.

Barnes first spotted him while he was in Manawatu¯ ’s academy.

‘‘He was young and light at the time and I’ve watched his growth playing for Counties Manukau over the past seasons,’’ he said.

‘‘I had no hesitation in offering him an opportunity.’’

Barnes has been a staunch advocate of providing local players opportunities first but this time he had no option.

‘‘I couldn’t see a genuine twometre lock in Taranaki that can call a lineout, which meant, unfortunately, we had to go outside our region.’’

Barnes said he will be with the team for the remainder of the season and there is a long-term opportunity based on performance.

Woolliams will join Stratford/ Eltham’s Scott Jury in the second row.

With the lack of starting loose forwards, regular hooker Bradley Slater will move to the side of the scrum with Tom Florence and PitaGus

Sowakula.

The backline remains unchanged from the last few weeks.

Mills Sanerivi, Rhodes Featherstone and Hemopo Cunningham join the reserves. Cunningham could make his debut, if required.

The match was meant to be played on Waikato’s centenary weekend in August. It’s also the first time the two teams have met in Tauranga – a neutral venue because of Waikato’s level three restrictions.

The Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy is on the line and kick off in Tauranga today is at 2.05pm.

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2021-10-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

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