Taranaki change for speed
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:08
Taranaki will be looking for another much-improved performance when they face Hawke's Bay in an Air New Zealand Cup Round Six match in Napier on Thursday.
Despite being without injured wing Paul Perez, the Amber and Blacks have named a side that will be looking to "speed up" the game.
The team shows two changes, with Perez out after injuring an ankle during his team's 39-21 win over Northland last Friday.
Nathan Hohaia takes his place on Thursday, with the only other change to Taranaki's starting 15 seeing Chris Walker replace Nemia Soqeta at blindside flank.
It's a sign Taranaki is looking for more speed in the loose, with Soqeta to be used from the bench.
The win last Friday lifted Taranaki from the bottom to mid-table on nine points - just one outside the competition's top eight.
Taranaki: 15 Asalemo Malo, 14 Nathan Hohaia, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Shayne Austin, 10 Willie Ripia, 9
Brett Goodin, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Chris Walker, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Hamish Mitchell, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Tony Penn (captain).
Replacements: 16 James Annabell, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Corey Niwa, 22 Jack Cameron.
Date: Thursday, September 4
Venue: McLean Park, Napier
Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT)
