Move away from home breaks Taranaki duck

Taranaki 20 Waikato 15

Taranaki had two reasons for celebration after beating Waikato.

Not only was it their first victory over Waikato in Hamilton, but it was also their first victory of the first division competition this season - and in their first game away from the New Plymouth Bullring.

For a time, it did not appear the ball would run Taranaki's way. Waikato bolted to a 15-3 lead with a quarter of the game gone, with tries from Scott McLeod and Bruce Reihana, but then failed to get another point.

The key to the win was Taranaki's move to their preferred forward driving game late in the first half.

They showed plenty of hunger and urgency against a Waikato pack shorn through injury and suspension of three first-choice players, Deon Muir, Jonno Gibbes and Deacon Manu.

Two tries from lineout drives in the last three minutes of the first half to outstanding hooker Andrew Hore and No 8 Campbell Feather closed the gap.

Fullback Daryl Lilley put Taranaki in front in the third quarter with a try in the left-hand corner after his forwards had done the hard graft.

Indeed, Taranaki would have been more convincing winners had fullback Daryl Lilley not missed four shots out of five.

First five-eighth Mark Urwin took over the goalkicking and converted Lilley's try. Taranaki withstood a late rally as Waikato chased something more than merely a bonus point.

"I know the disruptions wouldn't have helped them but we, as a group, had to capitalise on that," Taranaki coach Colin Cooper said.

Taranaki's three previous wins over Waikato in the first division have all been in New Plymouth.Cooper said he had never won as a player in Hamilton and none of the present players had either.

Taranaki skipper Andy Slater said: "What this has done is give us the belief that we can win against the best. Waikato are a very good side and we'll take that confidence into Bay of Plenty."

Taranaki would have fancied their chances of taking some points from their three-in-a-row home start to the NPC. That did not eventuate, with losses to Northland, Wellington and Auckland.

But now with games in Rotorua this weekend and at home to Southland, Taranaki will fancy their chances of making a late run at the semifinals at the end of next month.

- NZPA