Tamanivalu gains first start since the first week

All Black and Taranaki midfielder Seta Tamanivalu will gain a start for Taranaki against Manawatu this weekend. Photo by Dave Lintott Photography. 

All Black midfielder Seta Tamanivalu will start for Taranaki for the first time since their opening round clash against Bay of Plenty when they face Manawatu in cross-over rugby action in New Plymouth on Saturday night.  

Tamanivalu wasn’t required for the All Blacks Rugby Championship tour of South Africa and Argentina but came off the bench in Taranaki’s 20-all draw in the Ranfurly Shield match against Waikato on Sunday.

His inclusion is among seven changes to the starting XV as the three games in 10 days has taken its toll on a number of key players.

Regular captain Mitchell Crosswell, lock Leon Power, wing Beaudein Waaka, prop Ryan Cocker and halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi are among those injured from last weekend’s draw.

Those changes include a start for hooker Sione Lea and prop Reuben O’Neill in the front row, Iopu Iopu-Aso gains a start at blindside flanker with Berny Hall to captain the side for the second time this season in the absence of Crosswell.  

Wing Latu Vaeno will gain his first start for the side after recovering from a leg injury sustained during the Super Rugby competition and along with addition of Tamanivalu, Declan O’Donnell gains his third start of the season to complete the backline changes.  

There is plenty of depth on the bench with Rhys Marshall, debutant Asaeli Sorovaki, loose forwards Mitchell Brown and Lachlan Boshier with halfback Cody Whittaker expected to gain his first match for Taranaki after impressive displays in the Development competition.  

Exciting times for Spotswood United teammates Iopu-Aso and number 8 Toa Halafihi who will both earn their blazer matches for playing 20 matches.  

Taranaki sit in a demanding position of the competition table in second place on 20 points one behind first place Canterbury and a win over Manawatu will make things a lot easier for the side as they face the big three in the remaining matches [Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland].  

Manawatu last beat Taranaki in a competition match in New Plymouth in 1986 where they won 27-15. Taranaki were up 15-3 with the Turbos able to come back.  

However, putting that aside, Manawatu will make the trip up State Highway 3 fizzing with confidence after pipping Canterbury 19-13 last weekend in Palmerston North.  

Coach Jeremy Cotter hasn’t made any changes to his pack but has made some adjustments to his backline.  

Kayne Hammington will start at halfback with Jamie Booth moved to the bench, Otere Black makes another start at first five-eighth, Curtis Reid moves into the midfield to centre with Ngani Laumape returning to second five-eighth. Nathan Tudreu returns to the starting lineup on the left wing shifting Ambrose Curtis to the right wing. The impressive Jason Emery makes another start at fullback.  

The forwards feature former Taranaki men Heiden Bidwell-Curtis and Callum Gibbons.  

Kick-off is at 5:35pm.  

Match details:
Taranaki v Manawatu
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
24 September, 5:30pm
Referee: Brett Johnson (BoP)  

TAB: Taranaki $1.23, Manawaty $4.05  

Taranaki: Stephen Perofeta, Declan O’Donnell, Seta Tamanivalu, Johnny Fa’auli, Latu Vaeno, Marty McKenzie, Kylem O’Donnell, Toa Halafihi, Berny Hall ©, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Leighton Price, Ben Matwijow, Reuben O’Neill, Sione Lea, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Jared Profit, Asaeli Sorovaki, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Cody Whittaker, Jackson Ormond, Manasa Mataele.    

Manawatu: Jason Emery, Ambrose Curtis, Curtis Reid, Ngani Laumape, Nathan Tudreu, Otere Black, Kayne Hammington, Heiden Bidwell-Curtis, Callum Gobbons, Harrison Brewer, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Parsons, Michael Alaalatoa, Travis Taylor, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Tim Cadwallader, Tukiterangi Raimona, Chris Eves, Liam Hallam-Eames, Antoni Kiri Kiri, Jamie Booth, Sam Malcom, Luther Hirini.  

Head to head:  

Played: 86, 1890-2015 | Manawatu wins: 23 | Taranaki wins: 56 | Draws: 7
Last match: Taranaki 44 Manawatu 10, 03.10.15 in Palmerston North (ITMC)
Last Manawatu win: Manawatu 12 Taranaki 6, 28.09.13 in Palmerston North (ITMC)
Biggest Taranaki score: 69 (69-12), 04.08.99 in Hawera (NPC)
Biggest Manawatu score: 39 (39-15), 25.08.91 in Palmerston North (NPC)
Biggest differential: Taranaki by 47 (69-12), 04.08.99 in Hawera (NPC)