Hore impressive as Taranaki show class

By CHRIS RATTUE


Taranaki continued their impressive NPC start with a comprehensive 48-16 win over Southland, who look like they will face a long, hard season.

Led by All Black hooker Andrew Hore, the standout forward in the match, Taranaki had it over Southland in every department bar goalkicking in Invercargill last night.

Instead of bouncing back from a dreadful performance in Hamilton, Southland - who finished an encouraging sixth last year - were outclassed and look in danger of returning to the days when they were first division cannon fodder.

Taranaki struggled early on against a series of Richard Apanui penalty goals, but asserted themselves towards the end of the first half.

Southland's performance was summed up when hooker David Hall broke free on a great run to the line, then spilled the ball with a try begging.

Taranaki scored with the first fluid movement of the game, when fullback James Hilgendorf made a break and prop Tony Penn finished off in the corner.

They scored tries at regular intervals, with their forwards having the advantage and their backs being several notches above the Southlanders.

Taranaki also produced two defining moments on defence in the second spell.

With Southland in a strong attacking lineout position, and the score at 24-9, Taranaki drove the home side back. And Hore chased back superbly to cut down a rare Southland attacking move.

Just about all of the Taranaki backs had their moments, with second five-eighths Lifeimi Mafi again impressing.

Southland's defence was in tatters, with replacement halfback Craig Fevre strolling through for his side's seventh and final try.


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