Rugby: United shock defending champs in opening round

Photo: Jax Morgan during a pre-seaon match against Stratford-Eltham at Stadium Taranaki. Photo by United. 

A standout 21-point performance from debutant Jax Morgan has helped United to a statement win over defending champions Stratford-Eltham in the opening round of Taranaki premier club rugby.

United claimed a 46-40 victory at Victoria Park on Saturday, to secure their first win over Stratford-Eltham since their 2019 championship season. The two sides also drew in 2020.

United coach Matt Goodwin described it as a tremendous team effort that “went right down to the wire”.

Morgan, a former Francis Douglas Memorial College student who played in Waikato club rugby last season, scored a try and added five conversions and two penalties during his performance.

“Our set piece functioned well, giving captain Jax Morgan the platform to lead the side around the park and create opportunities for our backs,” Goodwin said.

“His contribution of 21 points speaks volumes about his impact on the game.”

The visitors had to dig deep late, scoring in the final moments to snatch the win after surrendering a healthy lead.

Leading 28-7 earlier in the match, United allowed Stratford-Eltham back into the contest through ill-discipline, including a yellow card for repeated infringements. The home side capitalised to edge ahead 40-39 through a prolonged period of attack before United’s late surge sealed the result.

Good said while the side executed certain aspects of their game plan effectively, errors meant Stratford-Eltham were able to capitalise on to work their way back into the match.
“They were arguably unlucky not to close the game out in the final stages.”

Stratford-Eltham were also penalised in the first half, receiving a yellow card of their own when United were hard on attack.

United impressed with their attacking intent throughout, while their scrum held up well against Stratford-Eltham’s traditionally strong forward pack.

Loose forward Lomise Toaisi, another debutant and former Wesley College student, also made an impact with two tries.

Goodwin said it was pleasing to see several young players make their mark alongside some of the team’s more experienced campaigners.

“The resilience we showed through to the 80th minute and the pressure we applied on their final lineout to score on full time, made for a fitting finish to a hard-fought match.”

In Rahotu, last year’s finalists Coastal survived an early scare to beat Inglewood 32-24.

Despite Inglewood controlling large parts of the match, Coastal finished strongly, with Jacob Whittle scoring a late try to secure victory.

Jackson Sinclair contributed with the boot and kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Inglewood showed improvement at set piece and matched Coastal’s forward pack for much of the match.

At Vogeltown Park, Clifton defeated New Plymouth Old Boys 40-31, scoring six tries to four.

Their first five-eighth Juan Tantrum converted five of those tries.

Tukapa also opened their campaign with a win, beating Southern 21-15 at Hicks Park in Hāwera.

Southern struck first, but Tukapa responded quickly and led for the remainder of the match.

Next weekend, United host Southern at Stadium Taranaki, Tukapa face cross-town rivals Old Boys at Sanders Park, and Inglewood travel to Stratford-Eltham on Good Friday.

Clifton will host Coastal at Tikorangi on Saturday.