Taranaki (National Provincial Championship)
 Taranaki Bulls logo | ||
| Union | Taranaki Rugby Football Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Bulls | |
| Founded | 1885 | |
| Location | New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| Ground(s) | Stadium Taranaki (Capacity: 30,000) | |
| CEO | Jimmy Fastier | |
| 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 | |
| 2024 | 2nd Quarter-finalist | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Taranaki (often known as the Taranaki Bulls) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. They represent the Taranaki region and compete National Provincial Championship. The union was originally established in 1889, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976.
The team is governed by the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, and typically play their home games at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are amber and black.
Current squad
The Taranaki Bulls squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC is:[1]
| Taranaki Bulls squad | ||
|---|---|---|
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Props
Hookers
Locks
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Loose forwards
Half-backs (scrum-halves) First five-eighths (fly-halves)
|
Midfielders (centres)
Outside backs
|
|
Honours
Taranaki have been overall Champions twice, winning the title in 2014 and 2023. They are also the current holders of the Ranfurly Shield having won the shield during the 2024 Bunnings NPC.[3] Their full list of honours include:[4][5]
- 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
Players named in the 2025 Taranaki Bulls squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
References
- ^ "Barnes satisfied with depth and balance of Taranaki squad". Taranaki Daily News. 7 July 2025. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ @yarrowstaranakibulls; (13 August 2025). "Ready for the garden of Eden". Retrieved 17 August 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Taranaki end Tasman's Ranfurly Shield run". RNZ. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "National Provincial Championship winners, 1976–2014". Te Ara. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Mitre 10 Cup". Rugby Heartland. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "We're ready to take the handbrake off". Blues (Press release). 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "2025 Crusaders squad announced". crusaders.co.nz (Press release). 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Gallagher Chiefs name cohesive 2025 squad" (Press release). Chiefs. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Highlanders announce team to travel to Canberra to play the ACT Brumbies". Highlanders (Press release). 26 March 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ "Game Readiness and Maturity Key in 2025 Hurricanes Squad". Hurricanes (Press release). 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Rabitu gets the nod at fullback, Murray back to face the Waratahs". Fijian Drua (Press release). 16 April 2025. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Fijian Drua unveil 2025 squad" (Press release). Fijian Drua. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Highlanders name squad for 2025 DHL Super Rugby competition" (Press release). Highlanders. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.