Beauden Barrett returns to Taranaki as 14 All Blacks released for NPC

Fourteen players who featured for the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour are available to their provincial unions for round 10 of the NPC this week.

Otago and Auckland kick off the round in Dunedin on Thursday night, with prop Saula Ma’u set to pull on the blue-and-gold hoops once more.

On Friday night, loose forwards Semisi Ta’eiloa and Simon Parker will line up for Southland and Northland respectively when they play at Invercargill’s Rugby Park.

On Saturday afternoon, Canterbury will have hooker George Bell and lock Sam Darry at their service. Waikato host Tasman that night and both sides can call on an All Blacks halfback: Cortez Ratima for Waikato and Noah Hotham for Tasman. Tasman will also have Timoci Tavatavanawai to bolster their backline.

On Sunday afternoon, Beauden Barrett will turn out for Taranaki for the first time since 2020, joined by fellow first five-eighths/fullback Josh Jacomb and hooker Bradley Slater. Wellington head to Stadium Taranaki with prop Siale Lauaki in their ranks.

Bay of Plenty close out the round-robin stage when they host North Harbour at Tauranga Domain, with Emoni Narawa and Fehi Fineanganofo on hand to light up their backline.

All Blacks available for their provinces this week

Thursday October 1

Otago v Auckland at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7.10pm

Otago: Saula Ma’u

Friday October 2

Southland v Northland at Invercargill’s Rugby Park, 7.10pm

Southland: Semisi Ta’eiloa

Northland: Simon Parker

Saturday October 3

Manawatū 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 Stadium Taranaki, 2.05pm

Taranaki: Beauden Barrett; Bradley Slater; Josh Jacomb

Wellington: Siale Lauaki

Bay of Plenty v North Harbour at Tauranga Domain, 4.35pm

Bay of Plenty: Emoni Narawa; Fehi Fineanganofo