Vital clash for Taranaki against Wellington

The clash between Wellington and Taranaki is shaping up to be an important match for the amber and blacks as they head to the capital on Sunday afternoon in cross-over NPC action  

As it’s the business end of the competition with some congestion for the top four in the premiership standings, a win for Taranaki should secure a semi-final spot with one match remaining. However, depending on the Otago vs Counties Manukau result, Taranaki’s final match against Auckland at home on Thursday night could effectively be a quarter-final.  

With Tasman beating Auckland on Thursday night, Taranaki are now third equal with the Makos one point behind Auckland in second spot but the men from the big smoke have played nine matches compared to Taranaki’s eight.  

Taranaki coach Colin Cooper has made minimal changes to his starting XV which welcomes the return of captain Mitchell Crosswell.  

The loose forward has missed the last two weeks thanks to a rib injury suffered in Taranaki’s draw to then Ranfurly Shield holders Waikato.    

Due to the return of Crosswell, there is a shift in the loose forward trio with Mitchell Brown and Berny Hall dropping to the bench allowing Crosswell and Toa Halafihi to start at openside flanker and number 8 respectively.  

There is only the one change in the backs with Johnny Fa’auli gains a start at second five-eighth ahead of Sean Wainui next to Seta Tamanivalu at centre.  

There are clearly some key combinations that are working for Cooper with locks Leighton Price and Ben Matwijow playing next to each other for the fourth consecutive weekend and the dynamic trio of Latu Vaeno, Declan O’Donnell and Stephen Perofeta will play in the third game in a row together. Halfback Kylem O’Donnell plays his fifth consecutive match at halfback.

Harry Jones is due to make his debut for the side after a strong lossless season with the Development XV.    

Taranaki’s defensive systems need improving ahead of Sunday’s match with three missed tackles that lead to three Canterbury tries in the loss last weekend in New Plymouth.  

According to the competition statistics, Taranaki has made 719 tackles in eight matches with 150 missed operating at 82.7% so far this season. That percentage could be defining moving towards the potential play offs.  

However, Wellington are sitting at the top of the championship standings along with Otago on 29 points, despite being smashed by Manawatu on Wednesday night, will be looking for a much improved performance should they want to be promoted to the premiership.  

Coach Earl Va’a has had to make nine changes to the starting fifteen as he manages injuries and the short turnaround for their third match in 10 days.  

Injuries have taken its toll on the Wellington side who will miss notable players Peter Umaga-Jenson, Ben Baumann, Matt Proctor and Sam Lousi with captain Brad Shields having a welcomed break after a heavy workload.  

But on the flipside Reggie Goodes and Joe Apikotoa return to the side with Sheridan Rangihuna and Pakai Turia paring up in the halves with only a handful of games between them.  

Va’a said that the team weren’t happy with their performance against Manawatu but felt it was important he manages the players through this part of the season to ensure they are in best possible shape ahead of the play-offs in the championship.  

“I’ve got every faith in the guys who have been promoted to the starting team. They’ve been chomping at the bit to get an opportunity, so this is their chance to show us what they can do” he said.  

He is expecting Taranaki to provide a huge challenge.  

Wellington will wear one-off jerseys to raise money for Wellington’s Children’s Hospital auctioned off on Trade Me after the game.  

Match details:
Wellington v Taranaki
Sunday 9 October
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
2:35pm  

TAB: Taranaki $1.65 Wellington $2.15 

Referee: Angus Mabey (AKL)  

Wellington: Jackson Garden-Bachop, Joe Hill, Wes Goosen, Shaun Treeby, Josh Woodward, Pakai Turia, Sheridan Rangihuna, Hoani Matenga, Galu Taufale, Vaea Fafita, Mark Reddish, Isaia Walker-Leawaere, Joe Apikotoa, Asofo Aumua, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Ha’amea Ahio, Alex Fidow, James Blackwell, Greg Foe, Tomasi Palu, Mike Lealava’a, Lester Maulolo.

Taranaki: Stephen Perofeta, Declan O’Donnell, Seta Tamanivalu, Johnny Fa’auli, Latu Vaeno, Marty McKenzie, Kylem O’Donnell, Toa Halafihi, Mitchell Crosswell ©, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Leighton Price, Ben Matwijow, Ryan Cocker, Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Harry Jones, Jared Profit, Reuben O’Neill, Mitchell Brown, Berny Hall, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Sean Wainui, Jackson Ormond.    

Head to head:  
Played: 171, 1894-2015 | Wellington wins: 119 | Taranaki wins: 46 | Draws: 5 | Abandoned: 1
Last match: Wellington 19 Taranaki 14, 15.08.15 in New Plymouth (ITMC)
Last Taranaki win: Taranaki 38 Wellington 22, 05.10.14 in Wellington (ITMC)
Biggest Wellington score: 73 (73-28), 25.09.04 in Wellington (NPC)
Biggest Taranaki score: 46 (46-10), 30.07.00 in New Plymouth (NPC)
Biggest differential: Wellington by 45 (73-28), 25.09.04 in Wellington (NPC)