PRE-SEASON:

Taranaki’s third and final pre-season rugby representative fixture ended as a 24-21 loss to Waikato at the Island Reserve, Otorohanga, on Friday afternoon.

The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls started the match brightly with two converted tries inside the first 15 minutes and ended the game with another on full time.

In between times, Waikato dominated the clash, although, as is custom in non-championship matches, both sides made numerous changes, sampling combinations.

Taranaki coach Willie Rickards was relatively happy with what he saw.

“We got out of it what we wanted. It was a typical pre-season game and we were pleased to give the guys the minutes,” Rickards said.

Taranaki’s opening try, after eight minutes, went to Lachlan Boshier following a successful lineout drive.

The second try, to Waisake Naholo, came after a Taranaki counter attack which started in its own half, with Sean Wainui featuring strongly.

Naholo could have, or probably should have, got a second. Intercepting on Taranaki’s own 22, Naholo had a clear run in front of him, but he was chased down by talented first five-eighth Fletcher Smith.

Waikato dominated the remainder of the half, although they looked a little formulaic while Taranaki was solid on defence albeit the turnovers were few.

Eventually Tyler Campbell opened Waikato’s account.

Rain accompanied the commencement of the second spell and as the personnel changes started to occur, mistakes crept in. Taranaki’s lineout became a little bockety.

Directed by Smith, Waikato, growing in confidence, added three tries in the final quarter.

Quinn Tupaea scored following an excellent Smith chip kick from within Waikato’s own half and soon after Louis Rogers and Nathan Tudreu crossed.

The last two tries were scored when the enterprising Jayson Potroz was in the sin bin for a deliberate knock down.

Kaylum Boshier, who did some good things, offered Taranaki’s late reply when he scored, after Wainui broke into Waikato territory, feeding Josh Setu, who set up Boshier.

Unfortunately, Wainui, like the rest the of the backs saw too little attacking ball.

“Our contact work was good,” Rickards concluded.

“The lineout drives and scrum went well, but we will be addressing the penalties this coming week.”

Taranaki for the third successive week were on the wrong side of the penalty count, but with the likes of Ricky Riccitelli, Jesse Parete and Tei Walden due to return for Saturday’s match against Counties Manukau, all is not lost.

At a glance:

Waikato 24 (T Campbell, Q Tupaea, L Rogers, N Tudreu tries, F Smith 2 cons). Taranaki 21 (L Boshier, W Naholo, K Boshier tries, J Potroz 3 cons). H/T: Taranaki 14-5.

Article added: Friday 02 August 2019