Preview: Taranaki v Bay of Plenty
ITM Cup leaders Bay of Plenty will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they face Taranaki on Tuesday.
ITM Cup leaders Bay of Plenty will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they face Taranaki in New Plymouth on Tuesday.
The Steamers' second-half comeback against Northland last Thursday came too late to avoid their first defeat of a surprising 2011 campaign.
Tuesday's clash is sure to be an intense encounter as Taranaki are also aiming to rebound after Saturday's loss to second-tier Manawatu.
The hosts' squad depth will be tested as their second game in four days obliges rotation.
Steamers full-back Toby Arnold shares the lead in the ITM Cup try scoring stakes with three other players, and on Tuesday could come face to face with Taranaki's Jayden Haywood, who has also touched down five times this season.
“We relish the challenge to bounce back from our loss last week. There is a real determination to get the job done in New Plymouth and return home with at least four points,” said Steamers Assistant Coach Paul Feeney.
The departure of Taniela Moa for the Tongan World Cup squad has opened the door of opportunity for Josh Hall as the reserve scrum-half on the bench on Tuesday.
“Josh has been in the Steamers during the last two seasons, and has a high level of fitness after playing premier club rugby for Tauranga Sports in the Baywide Premier competition. He put his hand up for Steamers selection in the pre-season hit-out against the Hawkes Bay Saracens with a standout performance,” added Feeney.
Meanwhile, All Blacks lock Jarrad Hoeata will start at loose forward for Taranaki in one of four changes from the side that lost 15-10 to Manawatu.
Wing Jackson Ormond, lock Jason Eaton as well as prop Michael Bent are also restored to the starting XV following their shock defeat in Palmerston North.
Number eight Ben Souness has been provisionally included in the team, but he can still miss out as he is still recovering from an ankle injury.
The teams:
Taranaki: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 George Pisi, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Jackson Ormond, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Ben Souness or Samuela Vunisa, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Craig Clarke (c), 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Shane Cleaver, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Michael Bent. Replacements: 16 Laurence Corlett, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Souness or Vunisa, 20 Brett Goodin, 21 Jack Cameron, 22 Isaia Tuifua, 23 Timo Tutavaha.
Bay of Plenty: 15 Toby Arnold, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Jason Hona, 11 Ben Smith, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Colin Bourke (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Leon Power, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Tristan Moran.
Replacements: 16 John Pareanga, 17 Pingi Talaapitaga, 18 Luke Andrews, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Josh Hall, 21 Dan Waenga, 22 Lance MacDonald, 23 Bronson Murray.
Date: Tuesday, August 9
Venue: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)