Taranaki (National Provincial Championship)
 Official TRFU emblem | ||
| Union | Taranaki Rugby Football Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Bulls | |
| Founded | 1885 | |
| Location | Westown, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| Ground(s) | Yarrow Stadium (Capacity: 30,000) | |
| CEO | Mike Sandle[1] | |
| Coach(es) | Neil Barnes | |
| Captain(s) | Kaylum Boshier | |
| Most appearances | Kieran Crowley (199) | |
| Top scorer | Kieran Crowley (1,723) | |
| Most tries | Kieran Crowley (64) | |
| League(s) | Bunnings NPC | |
| 2023 | 2nd Champions | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Taranaki (often known as the Taranaki Bulls) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1889, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at TET Stadium & Events Centre in Inglewood and Yarrow Stadium in the Taranaki region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are amber and black.
Current squad
[edit]The Taranaki Bulls squad for the 2024 Bunnings NPC is:[2]
| Taranaki Bulls squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props Hookers Locks |
Loose forwards Half-backs (scrum-halves) First five-eighths (fly-halves) |
Midfielders (centres) Outside backs |
|
Honours
[edit]Taranaki have been overall Champions twice, winning the title in 2014 and 2023. Their full list of honours include:[5][6]
- National Provincial Championship Second Division North Island
- Winners: 1976, 1982, 1983, 1984
- National Provincial Championship Second Division
- Winners: 1985, 1992, 1995
- ITM Cup Premiership Division
- Winners: 2014
- Bunnings NPC Championship Division
- Winners: 2021
- Winners: 2023
Current Super Rugby players
[edit]Players named in the 2023 Taranaki Bulls squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.[7][8][9][10][11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ "New Taranaki Rugby boss Mike Sandle happy to be coming home". 9 March 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Announce Final Squad for Bunnings Warehouse NPC Season 2024". Taranaki Rugby (Press release). 8 July 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ @yarrowstaranakibulls (29 August 2024). "Hometown hero, Potty marks his 50th milestone". Retrieved 4 September 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ @TaranakiRugby (15 August 2024). "Your Yarrows Taranaki Bulls to take on Wellington down in the capital. Potential 2 debutants have been named – Perry Lawrence & AJ Lemalu" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 September 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "National Provincial Championship winners, 1976–2014". Te Ara. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Mitre 10 Cup". Rugby Heartland. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "2023 Squad announced". Blues (Press release). 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Hurricanes 2023 squad announced" (Press release). Hurricanes. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "2023 Squad announced" (Press release). Crusaders. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Gallagher Chiefs squad announced for 2023" (Press release). Chiefs. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Team Naming: Whitelock Back for Waratahs Game" (Press release). Crusaders. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ "Gallagher Chiefs motivated for first game at home" (Press release). Chiefs. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.