Taranaki v Bay of Plenty Preview. (Our pick the Naki by 7+) HEAD TO HEAD: Played 36; Taranaki 20, Bay of Plenty 16. LAST TIME: August 20, 2010 (New Plymouth) – Taranaki 24-15 Bay of Plenty. WALKING WOUNDED: Taranaki have made a gain in the forwards with Jarrad Hoeata now released from All Black duty and he takes over the blindside. Jackson Ormond returns on the left wing but otherwise the changes are limited in number and limited to moving forwards to and from the bench. Bay of Plenty has its guns back after several were rested for the Northland match and this side is very close to Sean Horans ideal team. Taniela Moa has now gone to join Tonga for its World Cup preparation, so Josh Hall moves onto the bench. FORM: Taranaki: Round 1: lost to Wellington 5-23 (h) Round 2: beat Waikato 30-23 (a) Round 3: beat Northland 23-16 (a) Round 4: beat Auckland 39-11 (h) Round 5: lost to Manawatu 10-15 (a) Bay of Plenty: Round 1: beat Counties-Manukau 20-13 (a) Round 2: beat North Harbour 38-17 (h) Round 3: beat Waikato 36-8 (h) Round 4: beat Wellington 32-0 (h) Round 5: lost to Northland 23-30 (a) These teams went into last weekend first and second on the Premiership ladder but both lost, although Bay of Plenty remains at the head of things. Taranaki might have had a case to argue against the winning try at Palmerston North since the last pass was clearly forward, but they were under the cosh for long periods and could hardly feel this was the only thing that contributed to the defeat. Bay of Plenty started slowly at Whangarei – for the first time all year – and fell behind by 10-24 at the break. They made up ground in the second spell, but were always that little bit behind. Prior to that their form had been excellent although they, like several others this season, paid a price for resting all the big players at once. WHOS HOT: Jarrad Hoeata needs to hit the ground running to keep his World Cup ambitions on track, but his form in recent months has obviously been top-class. On the other side of the scrum Scott Waldrom has been in good form all year and he was into everything at Palmerston North in what was a rugged and willing forward clash. The loose forward battle promises to be particularly interesting and one of the most vital parts of the game. Jackson Ormond has already made a splash this year, playing an outstanding game against Auckland and making plenty of metres with little or no room to work in. He is obviously a very talented young player and one who will be closely watched from now on. The Bay scrum will be strong, as it has been all year, and Josh Hohneck is one of the main reasons why. He is having his best season yet and has been very impressive on occasions – Wellington among others could testify to that. Another having his most productive season is fullback Toby Arnold, who shares top place on the scoring tables after collecting another try at Whangarei. Always a talented player, he has taken a while to have this impact in the 15-man game. Jamie Nutbrown now moves into the lead halfback slot and he is a quality player without many obvious weaknesses in his game. Even if he is not as explosive as Moa on the burst, he knows plenty about playing the percentages which, at this time of year, is what a team needs. This match will be hard, no doubt about that, and will turn on small things. Neither side makes many errors and both are hard to break down – neither has yet given up 100 points for the season – so mistakes will hurt. There is a sneaky suspicion that the Bays best XV is marginally better than Taranakis and not much doubt about the goal-kicking at present, which suggests the visitors may be leaving with four hard-earned points. TEAMS: Taranaki: 1. Michael Bent, 2. Mahonri Schwalger, 3. Shane Cleaver, 4. Jason Eaton, 5. Craig Clarke (capt), 6. Jarrad Hoeata, 7. Scott Waldrom, 8. Ben Souness or Samuela Vunisa, 9. Tyson Keats, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Jackson Ormond, 12. Jayden Hayward, 13. George Pisi, 14. Andre Taylor, 15. Kurt Baker. Reserves: 16. Laurence Corlett, 17. Carl Carmichael, 18. James Broadhurst, 19. Vunisa or Souness, 20. Brett Goodin, 21. Jack Cameron, 22. Isaia Tuifua, 23. Timo Tutavaha. Bay of Plenty: 1. Tristan Moran, 2. Daniel Perrin, 3. Josh Hohneck, 4. Leon Power, 5. Culum Retallick, 6. Tanerau Latimer, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Colin Bourke (capt), 9. Jamie Nutbrown, 10. Chris Noakes, 11. Ben W Smith, 12. Jason Hona, 13. Phil Burleigh, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Toby Arnold. Reserves: 16. John Pareanga, 17. Pingi Talaapitanga, 18. Luke Andrews, 19. Luke Braid, 20. Josh Hall, 21. Daniel Waenga, 22. Lance MacDonald, 23. Bronson Murray. Sportal
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 22:18:55 +0000
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