Bulls players selected for squad

• Author: RUBGY Will Johnston, Sport News Taranaki
• Published date: 22 June 2022
• Publication title: Stratford Press

The pair join fellow Taranaki players Beauden, Jordie and Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord in the 36-strong squad

Having seven Taranaki players selected in the All Blacks at the same time is a record for the region.

Otago holds the national honours for having the most in a squad at any one time. Fifteen were selected for various All Blacks teams in 1949 from 10 clubs.

It was only a matter of time before Perofeta was going to earn his All Blacks call-up. He was a vital cog in Taranaki’s undefeated NPC championship season and won the Duane Monkley Medal for being the player of the year.

Perofeta scored 172 points during last year’s domestic season and 117 for the Blues during the round-robin.

All Blacks selector Grant Fox said he’s had his eye on the 25-year-old for some time.

“This year what we’ve seen is a belief. He’s put his hand up wanting to be the goal kicker rather than in the past a reluctant goal kicker.”

Fox liked his game awareness.

“He’s good on his feet and has great awareness of space around him and behind him. He can play 10 and play well at 15. Stephen was an obvious choice.”

His has improved since making...