Not content to lock away the Ranfurly Shield for the summer, Taranaki now want the national provincial sevens crown - and based on yesterday's showing at Mt Maunganui they look odds-on for some overdue success.
'Naki bullocked though the Bay Engineers Supplies-sponsored provincial tournament at Blake Park with all the tact of a runaway freight train, dousing Hawke's Bay title hopes 24-21 in the championship semifinal before smashing Canterbury 40-0 in a lopsided final, playing with pace, poise and power in a six-try rout.
Veteran Taranaki halfback Brett Goodin said they travelled north on New Year's day motivated to perform.
"We've driven up here the last few years and have never done well, usually playing a shocker, but I think the key today was we stayed off the piss over that New Year break and arrived just that bit fitter and fresher, which probably showed."
Taranaki, with national sevens players Ben Souness and Kylem O'Donnell in their ranks, launched from the outset and were 19-0 up at halftime with tries to Whaimotu Craft-Chemis (2) and Fijian destroyer Seta Tamanivula.