Rugby: Taniwha snatch victory over Taranaki with last minute penalty

Northland midfield back Rene Ranger breaks through another tackle as the Taniwha came from behind to beat Taranaki 18-17 at Okara Park tonight.

Turnovers and ill-discipline almost cost Northland their first Mitre 10 Cup win of the season at Okara Park tonight.

But a penalty to Matty Wright from straight in front, with time up, saw the Taniwha snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, coming out 18-17 winners against Taranaki.

It was the third game in a row to start the season that Championship Division side Northland has played a team from the Premiership Division above, and apart from a poor 20 minutes at the start of the second half against Auckland last Sunday, the Taniwha have more than held their own against the three heavy hitters.

Midfield back Rene Ranger had another huge game, winning turnovers and busting tackles seemingly at will.

Tonight the Northland scrum excelled against their more vaunted opponents and apart from a brain fade after the hooter in the first half which gifted Taranaki a runaway try to lead 17-10, it would have been all square at the break despite some ill-discipline and basic handling errors.

When all Northland had to do was kick the ball out to head into the sheds all square, a miss placed pass allowed Taranaki's Manasa Mataele to scoop up the loose ball and sprint off to score under the posts.

It was a cruel was to end the half after Kerikeri's No6 Tom Robinson, who had a great game, scurried over for a try against the post and a conversion and penalty to Matty Wright.

Taranaki were lucky they had the full complement on the field the entire game after three high tackles and plenty of niggle. A stronger referee may have pulled out a yellow card for at least one of the blatant indiscretions.

Taniwha teams of seasons past would have dropped their bundle after the late try, but this team is made of sterner stuff and they were determined to compete for every ball after the second half resumed.

Winger Tamati Tua crossed in the corner during the second half to bring the Taniwha back to 17-15 and set up a tight finish.

The Taniwha defended like their lives (or maybe their season) depended on it and did tremendously to stop Taranaki scoring.

Then with time almost up the Taniwha forwards trundled the ball up the field, with wave after wave of attackers staunchly met by Taranaki defenders.

But a penalty was given away right in front and up stepped Wright to guide the Taniwha to a famous victory.

It was the first win of the season, but on the first three weeks' showings, it won't be the last.