Rugby: Taranaki too good for Steamers

Seta Tamanivalu scored Taranaki's fourth try in the win over Bay of Plenty. Photo / Getty

Bay of Plenty 9
Taranaki 32

Title-winning form is still proving elusive but three straight wins for Taranaki will have the ITM Cup's front-runners looking over their shoulders.

The defending champions today produced an outstanding second half to top Bay of Plenty in Rotorua and jump into third spot on the Premiership standings.

After opening the campaign with a trio of defeats, Taranaki have turned around their season while showing flashes of brilliance interspersed with spells of indifference.

Today's first half featured too much of the latter as the visitors went to the sheds trailing 6-3, but four tries in the second spell blew away the Bay and helped Taranaki leapfrog Auckland and Waikato.

It was a similar story last weekend, when Taranaki slowly warmed to their work to eventually thrash Northland, with a resolute display on defence again allowing the attack to flourish. Because Taranaki certainly have the offensive weapons to cause some consternation for leaders Tasman and Canterbury.

The midfield duo of Charlie Ngatai and Seta Tamanivalu constantly combined well to set the tone for their side, and it was appropriate that the second five's astute kick allowed the centre to score the fourth try and secure a vital bonus point.

But Taranaki were equally impressive all over the field following the break, as punishing lineout drives combined with exemplary handling to land a killer triple-blow on the Steamers. Tries from Berny Hall, Toa Halafihi and Kurt Baker arrived in a 10-minute span and won the match, with home side struggling to conjure anything in reply.

The Bay were the better side in the opening 40 minutes, when they spread the ball well but were unable to find gaps in a defence that was bending without breaking. Managing only a pair of penalties gave Taranaki an opportunity and the champs did not need a second invitation.

Bay of Plenty 9 (D. Hollinshead 3 pens)
Taranaki 32 (B. Hall, T. Halafihi, K. Baker, S. Tamanivalu tries; C. Rei 2 pens, 2 cons)
HT: 6-3