Rugby: Second-half rally puts Taranaki on top

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Taranaki 26 Tasman 23
Taranaki produced another second half turnaround to see off Tasman and go top of the national provincial rugby premiership.

After a listless first half performance in New Plymouth, when they trailed 13-16, Taranaki survived Tasman's early second half attacks to take control in the final quarter.

The hectic ITM Cup schedule saw Taranaki coach Colin Cooper reshuffle his side, while rising first five-eighths Beauden Barrett - who kicked a record nine penalties against Bay of Plenty - was missing through injury.

Stand-in kicker Andre Taylor was one of the home side's heroes, landing five goals and scoring a 60 metre try which allowed Taranaki to kick away from Tasman, who were unable to turn long spells on attack into enough points.

With Taranaki having just edged ahead 19-16, wing Taylor spotted a gap near a ruck, and stepped inside Tasman's impressive No 8 Mark Bright and was unchallenged as he raced to the tryline.

This was a hammer blow to championship division strugglers Tasman, who had spent most of the third quarter camped in the Taranaki half but lacked attacking finesse and were not overly secure with the ball at the breakdown.

Taranaki, who played Bay of Plenty just three days earlier, made a typically slow start. They conceded the game's first try to Tasman captain Andrew Goodman after hooker Quentin MacDonald had robbed the ball from opposing frontrower Carl Carmichael. Forwards James Broadhurst and Ben Souness lumbered up the touchline to set up Taranaki's reply to flying wing Jackson Ormond.

Tasman, who had the better of the first half, squandered a couple of try scoring opportunities. Kieron Fonotia long range break was wrecked by a spilled pass, and Fonotia was held up over the line.

Taranaki 26

Tries: J Ormond, A Taylor
Cons: Taylor, J Cameron
Pens: Taylor (4)

Tasman 23

Tries: A Goodman, H Cochrane
Cons: Goodman (2)
Pens: Goodman (3)
Halftime: 13-16