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145-Test All black people first-five Beauden Barrett is ready for the turn Taranaki for the first time since 2020, when they take over Wellington in the final round of the regular season Hilux NPC competition
Barrett, who played a limited role in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, could start the round ten Hilux NPC clash alongside his brother Scott, who played his first competitive match in 2026 last weekend against Hawke’s Bay.
The pressure is on for Dave Rennie’s 34-man Bledisloe Cup squad, which was named on Tuesday. Barrett is competing against Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga and Josh Jacomb for the playmaking positions in the team.
Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u will pull one more time Otago colors on Thursday against Auckland, while Semesi Tupou Ta’eiloa and Simon Parker will play for their respective teams on Friday night in Invercargill.
Darry himself will make his first appearance of the season for Canterbury when they travel to download Manawatu on Saturday afternoon, where George Bell will play his third consecutive game after returning from a calf injury at Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
All Blacks halfback Cortez Ratima will feature Waikato again against Tasman, after returning for his first game back from a minor knee injury against Wellington on Sunday.
Tasman will still have the services of Timoci Tavatavanawai and Noah Hotham. Bay of Plenty will take over North Harbour with Fehi Fineanganofo and Emoni Narava in his squad, if selected.
All blacks available for their provinces this week:
Thursday 1 October
Otago c Auckland at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7.10pm
Otago: Saul Ma’u
Friday, October 2
Southland v Northland at Invercargill Rugby Park, 7.10pm
Southland: James Taylor
Northland: Simon Parker
Saturday, October 3
Manawatu v Canterbury at Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, 2.05pm
Canterbury: Sam Darry; George Bell
Counties Manukau v Hawke’s Bay at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe, 5.05pm
Waikato v Tasman at FMG Stadium Waikato, 7.10pm
Waikato: Cortez Ratima
Tasman: Noah Hotham; Timoci Tavatavanawai
Sunday, October 4
Taranaki v Wellington at Taranaki Stadium, 2.05pm
Taranaki: Beauden Barrett; Bradley Slater; Josh Jacomb
Wellington: Charles Lauki
Bay of Plenty v North Harbor at Tauranga, 4.35pm
Bay of Plenty: Emoni Narawa; Fehi Finenganofo