Rugby: Canterbury downed by jubilant Taranaki

Willie Ripia of Taranaki. Photo / Getty Images

As 125th birthday presents go, Taranaki couldn't have wished for much better than a rousing ITM Cup upset of Canterbury in New Plymouth today.

The hosts were deserving 31-20 winners over the two-time defending champions, scoring five tries to two in a performance that mixed typical Taranaki forward grit with their new-found verve out wide.

They led 19-10 after playing with the aid of a stiff breeze and hope appeared to be fading when Canterbury edged ahead 20-19 with a quarter of the match remaining. However, late tries to flanker Jarrad Hoeata and replacement first five-eighth Beauden Barrett pushed Taranaki to one of their more memorable wins since the union was formed in 1889.

Even better for those veterans on hand to celebrate the anniversary was the fact that Taranaki will be well cemented in the championship top four after the completion of round eight.

Southland are guaranteed to end the weekend on top of the standings, with second-placed Auckland only ahead of Taranaki on points differential.

Coach Colin Cooper's men produced their best performance of the season, pouncing on Canterbury mistakes to cross three times through No 8 Ben Souness, fullback Kurt Baker and centre George Pisi.

Souness' score was a brilliant solo effort off the back of the scrum while fellow-New Zealand sevens representative Baker supported winger Andre Taylor superbly after a neat cross kick from first five-eighth Willie Ripia. Pisi pounced after high-profile Canterbury second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams failed to control a grubber kick near his tryline.

As usual, there was ample interest in league convert Williams' performance and he produced some more neat offloading touches on attack while scoring the team's second try in the 52nd minute -- capping a brilliant team raid from 60m out.

Taranaki's resolve intensified from there, tackling with vigour and gaining a crucial edge in most of the forward exchanges. Hoeata crossed after a tackle-busting run from replacement loose forward Samuela Vunisa while Barrett took advantage of another loose effort from Williams when he tried to gather a loose ball while going backwards.

Victory was Taranaki's 14th over Canterbury in 57 meetings.

Taranaki 31 (Ben Souness, Kurt Baker, George Pisi, Jarrad Hoeata, Beauden Barrett tries; Willie Ripia 2 con, Andre Taylor con) Canterbury 20 (Sean Maitland, Sonny Bill Williams tries; Stephen Brett 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 19-10.

- NZPA