Rugby: Taranaki too clinical for Auckland in slippery conditions

Photo: John Velvin

Taranaki have backed up their breakthrough win over Canterbury with a 28-12 victory over Auckland in difficult conditions at Stadium Taranaki on Thursday night.

Four tries, including a double to hooker JJ Pokai, helped the Bulls make it consecutive NPC victories.

Showers made the surface slippery and contributed to plenty of handling errors from both sides, but Taranaki were more clinical when opportunities presented themselves.

The home side opened the scoring after 21 minutes when Pokai finished strong work from the forwards, with Sam Clarke converting for a 7-0 lead.

Auckland responded through Randall Baker from close range in the 32nd minute, with Alex Harford’s conversion levelling the scores.

But Taranaki hit back almost immediately.

Pokai grabbed his second from a powerful lineout drive three minutes later and Clarke’s conversion gave the Bulls a 14-7 halftime advantage.

Auckland had periods of ascendancy at scrum time and that provided the visitors with possession and field position, but they struggled to turn it into points.

Their attack lacked accuracy, with errors regularly bringing promising passages to an end as the wet conditions made handling difficult.

They did close the gap early in the second half when Payton Spencer finished an attacking move in the 54th minute, although Harford missed the conversion to leave Taranaki narrowly ahead 14-12.

From there, Taranaki midfielder Meihana Grindlay became increasingly influential.

Grindlay produced two excellent runs through the Auckland defence during the second half, advancing Taranaki deep into opposition territory and helping swing momentum back towards the home side.

His first break immediately preceded replacement lock Scott Jury’s try in the 59th minute, with Clarke converting to extend Taranaki’s lead to 21-12. Grindlay broke the Auckland line again six minutes later as Taranaki continued to threaten.

Despite Auckland continuing to have opportunities, Taranaki’s defence held firm and the visitors were unable to find another way through.

The Bulls eventually put the result beyond doubt when Kini Naholo burst through for their fourth try in the 77th minute, with Jamie Viljoen converting to complete the 28-12 victory.

Taranaki led for 59 minutes of the match and finished strongly, enjoying 65% of possession during the final 10 minutes.