Rugby: No-try ruling riles coach

A Taranaki defender halts the progress of Magpies winger Ryan Tongia. Photo / Tucker Media

Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team's head coach, Craig Philpott, described Saturday's assignment as the start of the storm season for his troops.

That's five games in 19 days. During storms, one usually gets frustrated and Philpott, who has never publicly criticised officials during his five seasons in the Bay, couldn't hide his frustration after his team's 55-28 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership round-two loss to the Taranaki Bulls at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth.

"I'm extremely frustrated that Jonah's second try was ruled out," Philpott said, referring to centre Jonah Lowe's second try in the 13th minute which was disallowed courtesy of a phantom obstruction call from television match official Mike O'Leary.

Just as was the case in the previous week's 36-26 loss to Wellington, there were a couple of other contentious calls Philpott could have commented on but he opted to stick to his regular policy. Had Lowe's second try been awarded, the Magpies could have had a 21-0 lead after 20 minutes.

However, Taranaki proved when they scored 31 unanswered points to take a 31-14 led in the 55th minute the 21-point deficit would have been a challenge they could have ticked off. As was the case against Wellington, missed tackles, 25, proved the Magpies' biggest sin against the Naki.

That was nine more than their hosts. The fact the Magpies had to make 121 tackles, 60 more than Taranaki, also proved the visitors again couldn't retain possession well enough.

Taranaki's 130 carries, 51 more than the Magpies, was another indication. At the same time, there was improvement in the Magpies performance from the previous week, particularly during the first 29 minutes when they kept Taranaki scoreless.

The Bay's set pieces during this period were commendable. As Philpott said, it was a pity the Magpies couldn't keep their hosts scoreless in the first half.

Hawke's Bay did well to close the gap to 31-21 courtesy of a clever solo kick and chase try from first-five Ihaia West in the 61st minute. With the chance to close the game and take the lead, the Magpies took risks which were punished and Taranaki led 41-21 after 67 minutes.

There was further hope for the Magpies after lock Geoff Cridge scored a bonus point try in the 70th minute, which West converted to have the visitors trailing 41-21. With the Magpies in chase mode, Taranaki were again able to capitalise on mistakes, including the final try of the match to former Magpie Trinity Spooner-Neera.

One-test All Black halfback Brad Weber was the best Magpie on the paddock. He made the most metres on the burst with 67, seven more than Lowe.

On a couple of occasions, it was a pity he lacked the necessary support. When the pressure was on, the Magpies became a little too individualistic when there should have been more trust in their support players.

Hurricanes prop Ben May was a powerful figure at scrum time. Magpies captain and Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon, vice-captain and Hurricanes lock Mark Abbott and Hurricanes loosie Hugh Renton all finished the match with 13 tackles.

Hurricanes front rower Ricky Riccitelli made 12, and May and Cridge 10.

Taranaki fullback Marty McKenzie was pushed hard for player-of-the-match honours by No 8 Iopu Iopu-Aso who along with halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi enjoyed some dominant patches once the Naki tight five gained parity.

Match highlights:

Heartstopper: Television match official Mike O'Leary's 13th-minute no-try call on Magpies centre Jonah Lowe's second try. Had it been awarded, the Magpies could have had a 21-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Turning point: Taranaki fullback Marty McKenzie's 63rd-minute try which he converted to give the hosts a 38-21 lead. The Magpies were never going to recover from that deficit.
Player of the match: McKenzie, who scored 25 points with a try plus seven conversions and two penalties from 10 attempts at goal in windy conditions. Always dangerous on attack.

Taranaki 55 (Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Crosswell, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Marty McKenzie, Declan O'Donnell, Trinity Spooner-Neera, Manasa Mataele tries; McKenzie 7 cons, 2 pens) Hawke's Bay 28 (Ash Dixon, Geoff Cridge, Jonah Lowe, Ihaia West tries; West 4 cons).
Halftime: HB 14-10.