Rugby: Taranaki beat Waikato 33-23

Taranaki's David Smith. Photo / Getty Images

Taranaki held off a second half fightback from Waikato to win 33-23 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

A couple of departed Manawatu outside backs, Kurt Baker and Andre Taylor, scored tries as Taranaki upset previously-unbeaten Waikato 33-23 in Hamilton today to clamber ahead of Auckland and Counties Manukau on points differential and demote the losers to eighth.

Waikato suffered badly when forwards Romana Graham and Liam Messam were shown yellow cards for punching with 15 minutes remaining, halting a comeback from the hosts.

Taranaki 33 (Andre Taylor, Kurt Baker, Scott Waldrom tries; Willie Ripia 3 pen, 3 con, Beauden Barrett pen) Waikato 23 (Romana Graham, Save Tokula tries; Trent Renata 3 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 27-9.

- NZ HERALD STAFF and NZPA