Beauden Barrett: 22 points
Taranaki opened their ITM Cup account with a four-try 37-22 win over Bay of Plenty at Baypark Stadium to go to top of the Premiership table.
It was a clinical performance by the visitors, who certainly underlined their championship credentials thanks to this bonus-point victory - secured by captain Jason Eaton with a last-minute try.
Taranaki pivot Beauden Barrett was the star of the show thanks to his 22 points, including a crucial 50m intercept try just after half-time.
The match was all but won at half-time after the visitors held a 20-8 lead after tries from James Broadhust and a spectacular solo effort from wing Waisake Naholo.
Barrett grabbed his intercept try soon after the break, and Bay of Plenty looked dead and buried before the hosts managed to narrowe the margin to 27-15 but could not hold off Taranaki when Eaton crashed over the last play of the match.
The win could have come at a cost to Taranaki, though, after star full-back Andre Taylor was forced off the field early in the match with a suspected broken thumb.
The scorers:
For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Masaga, C.Retallick, L.MacDonald
Cons: McCashin 2
Pen: Lynn
For Taranaki:
Tries: Broadhurst, Naholo, Barrett, Eaton
Cons: Barrett 4
Pens: Barrett 3
Bay of Plenty: 15 Kendrick Lynn, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Mafi Kefu, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Jamie Nutbrown (c), 8 Carl Axtens, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Warren Lippi-Smith, 5 Leon Power, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Tristan Moran, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Greg Pleasants-Tate.
Replacements: 16 John Paraenga, 17 Mike Kainga, 18 Keepa Mewett, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Lewis Hancock, 21 Nick McCashin, 22 Lance MacDonald.
Taranaki: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Kurt Baker, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Chris Walker, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Jason Eaton (c), 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Timo Tutavaha, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Sione Lea, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 Kane Barrett, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Kylem O'Donnell, 21 James Marshall, 22 Willie Rickards.
Referee: Kane McBride
Comments
passtheball says...
Naki strong again this year and the BOP are no easy beats at home. Looking forward to J Hayward turning it on this year - an underrated talent. With Willison and Ngatai they are the up and comers in the centres.
Posted 13:10 26th August 2012
Ferdie says...
see Andrew Hore is one of 10 ABs playing ITM rugby this week so Taranaki will have him for the Tasman game
Posted 11:12 26th August 2012
bk47 says...
dont get me wrong Ferdie I too am expecting alot from this strong squad. If we dont at least make the top 3 it will be a disappointing year.
Posted 02:57 26th August 2012
Ferdie says...
bk47 - maybe i was too harsh. i have high expectations from this squad in 2012, some real class in there i think at itm level. a shame they lost schwalger at hooker. read that hore is likely to only play once for them this season. you're right re first up win - no good playing catch up and on paper at least those 5 points the perfect start.
Posted 13:58 25th August 2012
bk47 says...
Damn hope Taylor is okay. Thought it was a messy game but showed this naki team has alot of potential. Hopefully we get Corlett back at hooker to sort out the throwing and timing. And damn our backline looks dangerous! I am excited about this season as a naki fan.
@ Ferdie
Yes we were rusty but hey a bonus point win first up (which we havent done for a few years now) against a decent BOP team is a good starting point.
Posted 13:06 25th August 2012
Ferdie says...
disappointed in taranaki's game, their fourth in last 4 weeks so 'rusty' not an excuse, sloppy handling and some bad decisions they need to improve next week for Tasman, Ranfurly Shield at stake.
Having said that. good performance from Barrett, nice to have him on form as back-up for ABs, and two tries were memorable, Naholo's almost 40m solo effort, and the final one from Jason Eaton playing on the wing.
C'mon PR where's the pic of Eaton and his beard, or is it a beard wearing Jason Eaton?
Posted 09:41 25th August 2012