Grunt up front wins it for Taranaki

Taranaki's forward pack paved the way for their first win of the NPC first division rugby season, 32-8 over strugglers Northland in New Plymouth today.

Stung by a 6-30 opening round loss to Waikato, Taranaki were too powerful and defended stoutly on their home ground in a four tries to one victory.

The hosts timed their run to perfection, securing the four-try bonus point with one minute left, courtesy of giant replacement No 8 Sisa Koyamaibole.

It gave Taranaki prop Gordon Slater extra reason to celebrate in his record-equalling 118th NPC match.

Taranaki were hot favourites to win at home against last year's wooden spooners, but were rocked when Northland scored the first try against the run of play in the 13th minute.

Fullback Matt Faleuka broke clear from a Taranaki turnover and linked with flanker Jake Paringatai who sent livewire hooker Tim Dow over near the posts.

But that was all Northland had to cling to as Taranaki's forwards took control.

Flanker Joe Lawn dived over from a ruck three minutes later before fullback James Hilgendorf finished off a pop pass from flanker Jason Eaton after a break from first five-eighth Todd Feather.

Feather's reliable goalkicking kept the hosts well clear, with his second penalty giving Taranaki a 20-5 halftime lead.

Dow came close to second try five minutes after the break when he was bundled over the corner flag after a lineout move.

In the 53rd minute Taranaki underlined their dominance and effectively sealed the match when hooker Andrew Hore scored from a powerful lineout drive to make it 27-8.

Northland attacked for periods in the second half but couldn't crack the defence.

Taranaki's replacement halfback James King was sinbinned for a professional foul 10 minutes from fulltime, but it didn't prove costly.

Taranaki looked like missing the bonus point but a series of attacks in the dying minutes were rewarded when Koyamaibole dived over from a ruck.

- NZPA