Auckland beat Taranaki

5.45pm

AUCKLAND 24 TARANAKI 13

Auckland hauled themselves off the bottom half of the NPC first division rugby competition today with 24-13 win over Taranaki at New Plymouth.

After last week's 15-33 shock home loss to Waikato, which had them stuck in seventh place in the 10-team competition, today's three tries to one victory put them into the top half.

Midfield backs Tane Tuipulotu and Sam Tuitupou and No 8 and captain Xavier Rush scored a try each for the Aucklanders, with fullback Ben Atiga kicking a penalty and three conversions.

Winger Shayne Austin scored the home team's only try. Daryl Lilley kicked a penalty and a conversion and Mark Urwin a penalty.

Auckland's last-gasp attempt for a bonus-earning fourth try was held up over the line.

Taranaki also lost a try over the line when hooker Andrew Hore spilled the ball when he was belly-up in a tackle in the 69th minute. It followed a few minutes of punishing forward play by the Taranaki pack.

The Auckland defence was otherwise rock-solid, with Taranaki unable to find their through the forwards or at midfield where Tuitupou was back.

Auckland 24 (Tane Tuipulotu, Sam Tuitupou, Xavier Rush tries; Ben Atiga pen, 3 con), Taranaki 13 (Shayne Austin try; Daryl Lilley pen, con; Mark Urwin pen). Halftime: 10-7.

- NZPA

NPC points table