Taranaki (often known as the Taranaki Bulls) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. They represent the Taranaki region and compete National Provincial Championship. The union was originally established in 1889, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976.
The team is governed by the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, and typically play their home games at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are amber and black.
Current squad
The Taranaki Bulls squad for the 2026 Hilux NPC is:
Props
Hookers
Locks
Loose forwards
Halfbacks (scrum-halves)
First five-eighths (fly-halves)
Midfielders (centres)
Outside backs
Honours
Taranaki have been overall Champions twice, winning the title in 2014 and 2023. They are also the current holders of the Ranfurly Shield having won the shield during the 2024 Bunnings NPC. Their full list of honours include:
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
Bunnings NPC Winners: 2023
Current Super Rugby players Players named in the 2025 Taranaki Bulls squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Player Team Beauden Barrett Scott Barrett Kaylum Boshier Meihana Grindlay Josh Jacomb Adam Lennox Michael Loft Josh Lord Kini Naholo Leone Nawai Reuben O'Neill Arese Poliko Jared Proffit Taniela Rakuro Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Daniel Rona Fiti Sa Bradley Slater Tupou Vaa'i
References
External links Official Site