One good start makes another for Northland

By PATRICK GOWER

Northland 25 Taranaki 20

Northland started their NPC campaign with a victory after coming from behind to beat Taranaki 25-20 at the Bullring in New Plymouth last night.

Northland benefited greatly from the exciting debut of Fijian Sevens rep Rupeni Caucaunibuca, who scored two tries then set up the winner for Brett Waaka, marking him as one to watch in the NPC this year.

The flying Fijian kept the Taniwhas in the game with a try in the final minutes of the first half.

Then, in the 65th minute, he drew them level at 20-all with a scintillating individual try from 60 metres out, carving right through the Taranaki side and finally going around Taranaki fullback Daryl Lilley.

To that point, the game had been marred by tit-for-tat mistakes and turnovers in what was essentially a not very pretty showdown between two uncompromising packs.

Taranaki seemed to have control of the game after the first 20 minutes of messy play, during which the two sides traded penalties - for Northland by former Auckland first-five Aidan Vince, and for Taranaki by Daryl Lilley.

Taranaki built momentum through their trademark forward play, and scored the first try - after good lead-up play from within their own half - with a classy chip and regather by Lilley, and a fleet-footed break by imported New South Wales wing Dominic Byrne.

The ball was turned over, but the Northland backs choked and Taranaki centre Faapulou Soolefai dived on a loose ball over the line.

The try was ruled after referee Kelvin Deaker consulted Taranaki touch judge Paul Macfie who said it had come off Soolefai's shoulder.

Northland were down 13-3 when Caucaunibuca scored his first try.

Replacement first-five James Arlidge converted from out wide, in what was to be a composed NPC debut.

Taranaki's second try came when Caucaunibuca turned from hero to villain, and tried a quick throw-in to Hayden Taylor on his own line.

Taylor got caught and turned the ball over, allowing Taranaki to spin wide and replacement centre Bryce Robins to dive over in the corner.

But the winger made up for the error, first with a try that is sure to be one of the season's best, and then with a strong burst near the line to put Waaka over.

Northland 25 (R. Caucaunibuca 2, B. Waaka tries, J. Arlidge pen, 2 con, A. Vince pen).

Taranaki 20 (B. Robins, F. Soolefai tries, D. Lilley, 2 pen, 2 con).