Foward power grinds Waikato and Taranaki to the top

It was almost a return to rugby of yesteryear as the tough forward packs from Waikato and Taranaki bulldozed their teams to the top of the NPC first division after two rounds.

Both revelled in difficult conditions, with their hard-working packs lifting to the occasion in front of a home crowd under lights last night. They are the only teams with two wins from two.

Waikato lead the competition after picking up another four-try bonus point in their 28-16 win over North Harbour at Waikato Stadium.

Arguably the competition's form team, captain Deon Muir underlined the confidence in his team with five minutes left. Muir opted to kick for an attacking lineout rather take a penalty kick at goal when leading just 23-16 and the decision bore fruit.

Muir himself scored from the ensuing lineout to earn the bonus point and bring a sigh of relief from coach Ian Foster.

"I've got to take my hat off to Deon," Foster said.

"I was in the box just thinking 'take the points, have a shot at goal'.

"Muir never listens to me anyway and he made the right decision and we got a fantastic result from the lineout."

Young backs like first five-eighth Derek Maisey and centre Regan King slotted in to the Mooloo pattern expertly. King even made the tryscorers' list, along with winger Roger Randle, prop Michael Collins and Muir.

North Harbour's only try was an early score to fullback Hayden Reid but they relied on the boot of first five-eighth Luke McAlister for the rest of their points.

Taranaki christened their new-look Yarrow Stadium with a rousing comeback from a 7-19 halftime deficit against Otago to win 36-30.

With a strong wind and rain at their back, the home side tallied 29 points in 25 minutes in the second half, with only a late penalty goal by first five-eighth Blair Feeney giving Otago a bonus point. He scored 25 points, including six penalty goals.

New Zealand Maori lock Reece Robinson led the Taranaki forwards which edged an Otago pack containing six current or former All Blacks. He scored two tries, as did winger Shayne Austin. The other went to impressive New Zealand sevens player Chris Masoe.

Defending champions Canterbury also required a comeback against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua to avoid a second shock loss,

Down 13-25 early in the second half, the introduction off the reserve bench of All Blacks lock Chris Jack and prop Greg Somerville seemed to lift Canterbury, who were boosted by a hat-trick of tries from fullback Ben Blair, who scored 25 points.

It was the second game in which unlucky Bay of Plenty picked up two bonus points, for scoring at least four tries and losing narrowly.

Wellington indicated they were set for another Jekyll and Hyde season with a 20-22 loss to Southland at a wet Invercargill yesterday.

First five-eighth Riki Flutey had a chance to level the scores in the final minute but a late conversion attempt slid past the posts from a handy position.

A draw would have done Southland a disservice. Led by No 8 Paul Miller, they had the edge up front, particularly in the first half as the visitors showed none of the hunger that saw them upset Canterbury in round one.

Auckland moved to third on the table by picking up a bonus point win, 34-16, over Northland in Whangarei on Friday night.

Centre Eroni Clarke scored two tries and No 8 Xavier Rush led the charge up front as the two experienced heads helped Auckland produce a much-improved performance against a home side which failed to fire.

- NZPA