King at halfback for Taranaki

Halfback James King has been mixing rugby and building with his studies to be a teacher this year.

Now the 26-year-old is going to be calling the shots for Taranaki against Bay of Plenty in their NPC match in Tauranga on Sunday.

King gets his chance ahead of Craig Fevre in one of three changes from the side that beat Northland 32-8 in New Plymouth last Saturday.

The other two changes see the return of Super 12 players Chris Masoe and Sailosi Tagicakibau, both back after injury.

"It's nice to get a good solid block of time on the park and the opportunity is there for me to give it a crack," King said.

"Honky's (Fevre) been playing well and I've got to try to put pressure on him and hold on to the position."

The halfback knows it won't be easy against a Bay side stung by two losses.

"And playing at 12.30 will be a bit weird. A bit like being back at school. Hopefully we can get another win and get our season back on track."

It will be King's first start in an NPC division one match, and only his fifth game for Taranaki.

However, he's no stranger to top-level rugby. He played six games for Wellington before moving to Taranaki in 2003 and last year played in second division for Nelson Bays after missing out on the Taranaki squad.

"It's a different challenge up here and I enjoy the environment, it's more laid back.

"I've been doing a bit of building and I'm doing some teaching papers."

Masoe returns to the side after missing the games against Waikato and Northland because of an eye injury.

He replaces No 8 Brendon McGlashan, who has a knee injury.

Tagicakibau, who has had limited rugby after breaking a bone in his leg while playing for the Chiefs, returns at the expense of Scott Ireland, who drops to the bench.

Tomasi Soqeta has been named on the bench after missing the opening two games because of a shoulder injury, while another Fijian Sisa Koyamaibole will miss the match because of an illness in his family.

Koyamaibole is in Fiji, but will be back in New Plymouth on Monday.

Midfielder Mark Stewart was not considered because of knee injury.

Taranaki: James Hilgendorf, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Andrew Suniula, Lifeimi Mafi, Orisi Belau, Todd Feather, James King, Chris Masoe, Joe Lawn, John Willis, Jason Eaton, Paul Tito (captain), Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn. Reserves: Lawrence Corlett, Hamish Mitchell, Tomasi Soqeta, Scott Breman, Scott Ireland, Sam Young, Craig Fevre.

- NZPA