North Harbour ran Taranaki ragged in their NPC first division rugby match at Albany tonight, winning 37-3 to book a semifinal berth for the first time in four years. The red-hot Harbour side were too dynamic for Taranaki, notching two tries in each half, their bonus point ending the semifinalhopes of Wellington and Southland with one round remaining.
Fourth-placed Harbour are five points clear of Wellington, who could move equal with them next weekend but Harbour would still advance as they won their second-round clash.
Taranaki were shut out by some punished defence from the hosts tonight, rarely threatening the line while Harbour had the edge in most departments.
Halfback Junior Poluleuligaga and hooker Joe Ward crossed in the first half as Harbour opened up a 20-3 lead. The second half tries went to No 8 Nick Williams and winger Vili Waqaseduadua, while first five-eighth Luke McAlister kicked 14 points.
Taranaki's sole points were a penalty to first five-eighth Sam Young late in the first spell.
A sometimes-fiesty affair was marred by four yellow cards delivered by referee Lyndon Bray.
The first was to Taranaki centre Matt Harvey, who threw a punch at Williams after half an hour. Early in the second half hookers Ward and Andrew Hore were sinbinned for fighting while Taranaki No 8 Chris Masoe was deemed to have committed a professional foul near the end.
Harbour are away to Southland in the final round next weekend while Taranaki host Wellington on Friday to end their campaign.
North Harbour 37
(Junior Poluleuligaga, Joe Ward, Nick Williams, Vili Waqaseduadua tries; Luke McAlister 2 pen, 4 con, Joel Nasmith pen)
