Rugby: Taranaki power past Southland as bigger test awaits

Taranaki put together one of its stronger performances of the NPC season in a 55-19 win over Southland at Stadium Taranaki on Sunday.

After an inconsistent campaign in which the Bulls have mixed impressive victories with frustrating defeats, this was a much more authoritative display.

Taranaki had the better of Southland throughout the park, particularly at scrum and lineout time, while its backs increasingly found space as the match opened up.

The return of All Blacks hooker Bradley Slater added considerable strength to the forward pack, with Taranaki’s set piece providing a reliable platform throughout the afternoon.

Slater also crossed for a try on the stroke of halftime to give the Bulls a 24-14 lead, after Southland had managed to stay within touching distance despite Taranaki controlling much of the opening 40 minutes.

But the contest quickly got away from the visitors after the break.

Jayden Sa scored five minutes into the second half before Kini Naholo crossed twice as Taranaki turned its dominance into points and stretched the margin beyond Southland’s reach.

Jesse Parete and replacement JJ Pokai added further tries late in the match as the Bulls finished with 55 points and a 36-point winning margin.

Centre Meihana Grindlay was among Taranaki’s best.

He opened the scoring after eight minutes and was consistently threatening with ball in hand, giving the Bulls plenty of go-forward in midfield and combining well with the dangerous outside backs.

Fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was another strong performer. His involvement from the back gave Taranaki an additional attacking option and he looked dangerous when joining the line, particularly once Southland began to tire.

First-five Josh Jacomb had a comparatively quiet match in general play following his return from the All Blacks tour, but was reliable from the kicking tee and helped ensure Taranaki continued to turn its dominance into scoreboard pressure.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect for Taranaki was its control up front.

Against a Southland side which had thrashed Bay of Plenty 43-12 a week earlier, the Bulls were rarely placed under sustained pressure and their scrum and lineout gave the backs quality possession to work from.

It was also a significant response to Taranaki’s disappointing 27-25 loss to Manawatū in Palmerston North in its previous match.

The Bulls have shown this season they can trouble the competition’s leading sides — including wins over Canterbury and Auckland — but consistency has remained the challenge.

Sunday’s performance was another example of what Taranaki can produce when its forward pack establishes control and its attacking players are given front-foot ball.

Whether it can reproduce that against Hawke’s Bay will provide a much tougher examination.

Taranaki travels to McLean Park on Sunday to face a Magpies side which will also have plenty to play for after losing the Battle of the Bays 32-17 to Bay of Plenty in Tauranga on Saturday.

For Taranaki, it shapes as its biggest challenge yet as the race for the NPC playoffs enters its final stages.

But after putting 55 points on Southland, it will head to Napier with considerably more momentum.