Beauden Barrett returns to Taranaki for NPC final round

Fourteen All Blacks players have been released to represent their provincial unions for the final round of the Hilux NPC regular season. A major highlight of the round is the return of veteran first-five Beauden Barrett to Taranaki, marking his first appearance for the province since 2020.

Barrett’s return comes at a critical time as national selectors prepare to name a 34-man squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup. The veteran faces significant competition for playmaker positions, contending with players such as Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ruben Love, and Josh Jacomb.

Taranaki is scheduled to host Wellington at Stadium Taranaki on Sunday, October 4. Other notable All Black involvements in the final round include Saula Ma’u for Otago, and Sam Darry and George Bell for Canterbury.