Kurt Baker: Scored Taranaki's first try
Taranaki returned to the victory trail with a nail-biting 32-31 ITM Cup win over Northland in Whangarei on Saturday.
The visitors, who lost their first match of the season to Auckland on Wednesday, staved off a late Northland fightback after leading 16-7 at half-time.
Taranaki left wing Frazier Climo was his side's hero, notching 18 points through a try, three penalties and two conversions.
The hosts came close to pulling off a surprise result when inside centre Derek Carter scored a try in the dying moments of the match but there was not enough time for them to secure the win.
Despite the defeat, Northland scored four tries and Taranaki only crossed the whitewash twice.
The win moves Taranaki to second spot on the table with 23 points from six matches. They are one point behind Auckland in the standings but have played one match less than the pace-setters.
The scorers:
For Northland:
Tries: Takulua, Ranger, Caprice, Carpenter
Cons: Ai'i 2, Wright 2
Pen: Ai'i
For Taranaki:
Tries: Climo, Baker
Cons: Climo 2
Pens: Marshall 3, Climo 3
The teams:
Northland: 15 Matt Wright, 14 Faatoina Autagavaia, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Mateo Malupo, 10 Orene Ai'i, 9 Tane Takulua, 8 Cam Goodhue, 7 Jack Ram, 6 William Whetton, 5 Bryce Williams (c), 4 Jack Whetton, 3 Ross Wright, 2 Tone Kopelani, 1 Peni Kaufusi.
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Justin Davis, 18 Hale T-Pole, 19 Dan Pryor, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Rhys Cane, 22 Dan Caprice.
Taranaki: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Jackson Ormond, 13 Willie Rickards, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 James Marshall, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Jarrad Hoeata, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Kane Barrett, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Michael Bent, 2 Timo Tutavaha, 1 Carl Carmichael.
Replacements: 16 Sione Lea, 17 Chris King, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Blade Thomson, 20 Jamison Gibson-Park, 21 Jack Cameron, 22 Isaia Tuifua/Seta Tamanivalu.
Comments
Ferdie says...
Taranaki news, Scott Waldrom broke his arm in the match and out for rest of 2012, rules out chance of touring for NZ Maori so that may have been his last game in NZ as no Super contract for next year may head to UK - could he join his brother Thomas at Leicester Tigers? One odd stat for him is he has one All Black match to his name but no tests - he played v Munster, 80min, his only time in black.
Waisake Naholo and Kane Barrett have signed 2 year contracts with the Blues Super Rugby team, Naholo 21 was a NZ U-20 rep, and Barrett ex captain NZ Schoolboys, at 22 is older brother of All Black 10 Beauden .
Posted 04:46 24th September 2012
Ferdie says...
hoped for more tries in what appeared to be ideal conditions. Give that groundsman a medal the playing surface looked perfect. Northland always put up a good fight at home, Taranaki captain Clarke was determined to get the four tries and bonus point, turning down an easy penalty shot for an attempt at a try, well that almost backfired. The final Northland try came from a quick penalty in front of the posts, they could have had the three to ensure a bonus point think there was only 35 seconds left of the game so no chance they could score twice, but good for them took a risk and got a try.
Cooper the coach doing a good job i think with using the full squad, Climo would be the fourth-choice kicker behind Barrett, Marshall, Cameron, not a bad back-up to have.
Rene Ranger looked totally average - as did Robbie Fruean for Canterbury last week; anyone crying for either of them to get AB selection should watch some iTM games you'll see they are provincial level, OK at Super but not international talent.
Posted 02:00 23rd September 2012