Rugby: Taniwha head south for next Mitre 10 game

Taniwha loosie Kara Pryor on the rampage in Northland's Mitre 10 Cup win over Waikato. Photo / Tania Whyte

The Northland Taniwha are heading to Invercargill to play Southland this coming Saturday after ending a 19-game Mitre 10 Cup losing streak by convincingly beating Waikato 48-27 at Whangarei on Sunday.

Northland and Southland have played 36 times since 1947, sharing the glory 18-18. The last Northland win was 13-9 in 2013 and Southland won 27-18 when the two teams played at Whangarei last year.

Against Waikato, Northland were not afraid to chance their arm. Jordan Hyland opened the Taniwha scoring after some brilliant phase play and a try to barnstorming prop Phil Kite added to the lead.

The returning Matt Moulds showed how much he has been missed with a huge display of grit, while Kara Pryor and Matt Matich had their trademark big performances.

Waikato looked bereft of ideas, particularly during the first spell.

Perhaps consecutive losses at the hands of Counties Manukau and Canterbury were playing on their minds?

However, they had more immediate things to worry about as Northland ran rampant through the middle of the field.

Jone Macilai, Pryor and Matich provided the highlight of the day, combining for a mesmerising display of running rugby to give Matich a try.

Waikato hit back with quick passes leading to a try for Jordan Trainor.

However, any joy was short-lived for the visitors as Northland piled on multiple phases and sent it wide for Macilai to score the bonus point try right before halftime.

Peter Breen kicked a total of 23 points, including a beauty from the sideline to give the Taniwha a commanding 32-8 lead at the break.

Waikato coach Sean Botherway made wholesale changes at halftime and when his team notched up three more tries an unlikely comeback appeared to be on the cards.

However, a trio of penalties from Breen and a well-deserved try to second-five Dan Hawkins kept Waikato at bay, at long last giving Northland fans something to cheer about.

Northland 48 (Jordan Hyland, Phil Kite, Matt Matich, Jone Macilai, Dan Hawkins tries, Peter Breen 4 con, 5 pen) Waikato 27 (Jordan Trainor, Iliesa Ratuva, Sefo Kautai, Whetu Douglas tries, Trainor 2 con, pen).