ITM Cup: Taranaki storms into final in extra time

Taranaki's Blade Thomson celebrates after scoring a try during the ITM Cup Premiership semifinal between Taranaki and Auckland at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth. Photo / Getty Images

Taranaki 49
Auckland 30

It took 100 minutes of nerve-jangling rugby, but eventually they did it. Taranaki made it to the final of New Zealand's top domestic competition for the first time in the history of the province. And they did it the hard way.

After a thrilling first 80 minutes, the scores were tied. Then, spurred on by a passionate and raucous home crowd, Taranaki scored two tries in the first four minutes of extra time to set-up one of the greatest home wins Yarrow Stadium has ever seen.

Taranaki eventually won the match by 19 points, but the scoreline does little to reflect the intensity, excitement and closeness of this game. It had more twists and turns than a corn maze.

Both sides had clear chances to win in regular time. Auckland turned down what looked a kickable penalty in the 72nd minute, opting for a lineout, but quickly lost the ball forward. Then Taranaki first-five Marty McKenzie missed a regulation penalty with two minutes left, as well as a last-second drop goal to win the game.

Taranaki started extra time the same way they started the game, with two quick tries. Waisake Naholo was brilliantly set up by Seta Tamanivalu for the first, before Jackson Ormond streaked 70m down the right wing to put the New Plymouth fans' hearts at ease.

The lead changed five times throughout the match. Every time it looked like one side was starting to dominate, the other sprung to life. Taranaki opened up a 14-point lead after seven minutes, before quickly conceding 20 in a snoozy 15-minute spell, and then regained the lead before halftime. It was that sort of game.

It might have been the most exciting first half in ITM Cup playoff history. The five tries were thrilling and the 47 cumulative points scored were impressive, but it was the power and pace of both backlines which really made it special.

George Moala was big and strong, and close to the line unstoppable, Gareth Anscombe looked too good for the competition and Lolagi Visinia showed just what a supreme athlete he is with a number of rampaging runs.

But Taranaki centre Seti Tamanivalu probably saw his stock rise the highest during the game. The 22-year old recently signed with the Chiefs after being courted by four New Zealand franchises and has been a standout performer in this year's ITM Cup.

But one run today in particular showed he has the potential to be a future great of the game. He terrorised the Auckland backline with a polished combination of strength, balance and power, steamrolling through two defenders before picking a perfect offload to set up Taranaki's third try.

"I'm so proud. That game was unreal," said Taranaki captain James Marshall. "I'm just so happy with the effort, especially in that last 20 minutes, which seemed like it went forever.

"Their attack is really good and we struggled with our defence at times, but when we had the ball I think it was the same for them. So holding the ball was crucial, especially in that last bit of extra time. I also think we have the best bench in the comp and we saw that out there today.

"Seti is a superstar in the making. He had some game."

Taranaki 49 (Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Crosswell, James Marshall, Waisake Naholo, Blade Thomson, Jackson Ormond tries; Cody Rei 3 cons 3 pens Marty Mckenzie 2 cons Auckland 30 (Gareth Anscombe, George Moala 2 tries; Anscombe 3 cons,3 pens Halftime: 24-23. End of regulation time: 30-30.