Taranaki (often known as the Taranaki Bulls) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1889, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at TET Stadium & Events Centre in Inglewood and Yarrow Stadium in the Taranaki region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are amber and black.
 Official TRFU emblem | ||
| Union | Taranaki Rugby Football Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Bulls | |
| Founded | 1885 | |
| Location | Westown, New Plymouth, New Zealand | |
| Ground(s) | Yarrow Stadium (Capacity: 30,000) | |
| CEO | Mike Sandle[1] | |
| 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 | |
| 2023 | 2nd Champions | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Current squad
The Taranaki Bulls squad for the 2023 Bunnings NPC is:[2]
| Taranaki Bulls squad | ||
|---|---|---|
Props
Hookers Locks
| Loose forwards
Half-backs (scrum-halves)
First five-eighths (fly-halves) | Midfielders (centres)
Outside backs
|
| (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped, REP denotes a replacement squad player. ST denotes a short-term squad member. |
Honours
Taranaki have been overall Champions twice, winning the title in 2014 and 2023. Their full list of honours include:[6][7]
- 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 2023 Taranaki Bulls squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.[8][9][10][11][12][13]