Mitre 10 Cup:

Manawatu has leap frogged the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls to take the fourth spot of the championship division of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Taranaki’s 35-11 loss to Auckland in New Plymouth and the Turbos 33-17 win over Counties Manukau determined the final placing ahead of the semi-finals next weekend.

The result means Taranaki finish in fifth place, three points behind Manawatu.

Auckland also needed to win to keep their semi-final hopes alive in the premiership.

Taranaki’s first half, in beautiful conditions, was a contrast to what fans had witnessed in the last five matches.

Their backline showed penetration, the defence denied Auckland opportunities, the lineout improved and mistakes eliminated.

However, Taranaki will be disappointed with the last 15 minutes as Auckland lead 15-11 and stretched their lead out.

Early in the match, the two first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer slotted a penalty each.

Taranaki were the first to score after 22 minutes. The home side drove from a lineout close to the line with hooker Ricky Riccitelli coming up with the ball in the corner to claim his fourth try of the year. First five-eighth Stephen Perofeta was unable to convert.

Auckland bounced back as Dalton Papali’i, who was later sin binned, scored after a patient build up. First five-eight Harry Plummer missed the conversion.

Just before the break Auckland failed to score in the corner as the defence denied the opportunity to give Taranaki a 11-8 lead at halftime.

Taranaki’s defence eventually broke after the break as Auckland drove up the field thanks to their strong forward pack. Flanker Adrian Choat scored next to the posts to take the lead, but it was fullback Jordan Trainor who offloaded while falling to the ground opening the defence. Plummer added the extras.

Within minutes of conceding the try, Taranaki were down the right end of the field. With a numerical advantage, as Papali’i was shown a yellow card at the breakdown by referee Glen Jackson, Taranaki couldn’t capitalise. That ended up being a big turning point in the match along with Perofeta missing a subsequent penalty shot.  

Auckland slotted two penalties, including a 51-meter monster by Plummer.

The visiting team put the game out of reach for Taranaki as Perofeta kicked the ball into the possession of Papli’i. Wing Salesi Rayasi ran with space to score unopposed.

To rub salt into the wounds, Auckland scored right on fulltime, as Daniel Kirkpatrick’s accurate cross field kick landed in the hands of Kurt Heatherley offloading to Trainor. Kirkpatrick was able to slot both conversions.

In the Farah Palmer Cup, The Port Taranaki Whio has missed out on a championship semi-final after losing to Northland 32-14 in Whangarei.

Taranaki showed a lot of skill and speed throughout the match, but it was Northland’s wave of attack that proved to be the difference.

Taranaki scored just before the break and trailed 19-7, thanks to quick thinking by halfback Iritana Hohaia who scored under the posts. Northland continued to apply the pressure in the second spell.

At a glance:

Taranaki 11 (R. Riccitelli try; S. Perofeta 2 pen). Auckland 35 (D. Papali’i, A. Choat, S. Rayasi, J. Tranior tries; H. Plummer con, 3 pen, D. Kirkpatrick 2 con).

HT: 11-8

Article added: Monday 14 October 2019