Rugby: No All Blacks but Waldrom back for Taranaki

Taranaki openside Scott Waldrom will start from the bench against Northland. Photo / Getty Images

Taranaki will not have Andrew Hore and Jason Eaton for Thursday night's Air NZ Cup rugby clash with Northland, though All Black flanker Scott Waldrom makes his provincial comeback from injury.

Waldrom makes a welcome return via the bench at North Harbour Stadium, two months after he was invalided out of the Hurricanes' Super 14 semifinal loss to the Chiefs.

Waldrom's return was timely, given openside Ben Souness was among the casualties as Taranaki fought back from a nine-point deficit to post a 21-9 victory at Tasman in last Thursday's competition opener in Blenheim.

Taranaki first five-eighth Willie Ripia injured an Achilles tendon during the match and has been replaced by Jack Cameron.

Tighthead prop Shane Cleaver will also miss the trip, after cuts became infected.

Michael Bent comes in to the front row while Chris Walker starts on the openside flank, where Waldrom will be injected at some stage.

The All Blacks arrived back from their fruitless Tri-Nations trip to South Africa only last night, so the short turn around meant hooker Hore and lock Eaton could not be considered.

Eaton was likely to train with the squad next week and be available for the third round match against Hawke's Bay in New Plymouth on August 15.

It is not known if and when Hore would be available for a rare provincial appearance.

The Northland match was being played at North Harbour Stadium because the New Zealand Rugby Union deemed the surface at Okara Park in Whangarei unsuitable, after bad weather stunted its development.

Northland lost their opening round match 14-19 to Bay of Plenty last Friday.

Taranaki
Ace Malo, Nathan Hohaia, Willie Rickards, Jayden Hayward, Shayne Austin, Jack Cameron, Brett Goodin, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris Walker, Johnny Willis, Craig Clarke, Leon Power, Michael Bent, Laurence Corlett, Tony Penn (captain).

Reserves: James Hinchco, Carl Carmichael, Samuela Vunisa, Scott Waldrom, Kylem O'Donnell, James McSeveny, Ed Jenkins.

- NZPA