Rugby: Taranaki lament letting bogey team go

NEW PLYMOUTH - Taranaki rugby captain Andy Slater last week observed that Wellington were a team Taranaki had not beaten in the NPC during his time as a player.

"At times, it's seemed like we just can't beat the buggers. We've come away thinking - if only. Hopefully that will change on Saturday night."

Unfortunately for Slater and his team, 1999 will go down as yet another opportunity lost.

Wellington's 21-15 first-division victory was a painful experience for just about all concerned - apart from the visiting team and their small band of supporters.

Much of the pain belonged to Slater, who was unable to celebrate his 150th match for Taranaki with a win.

"It was disappointing. We had our chances and once again couldn't do it. I don't care about me, it's the team I'm thinking of ... we should have won that game."

There was little to remember, let alone cheer about, in the match.

Mark Urwin kicked five out of five penalties from 40m or more to keep Taranaki in front for most of the game.

Urwin and Jamie Cameron produced some towering punts which found the touchline, but too often the ball was kicked aimlessly from one end of the field to the other.

Referee Paul Honiss last week awarded three penalty tries, but on Saturday night he was the opposite, denying Taranaki two tries.

Winger Neil Brew crossed the line but was ruled to have lost the ball as he tried to ground it, while halfback Richard Jarman was penalised for rabbiting as he stretched out for a try.

After almost taking out permanent residency in the Wellington half, Taranaki lacked the finishing power to convert the possession and territory into points.

To add insult, Wellington lock Dion Waller scored an opportunist try the first time Wellington got into Taranaki's 22m, charging down a Cameron clearing kick in the 25th minute.

All Taranaki had to show were three penalties to Urwin for a 9-5 lead at halftime. It was scant reward for their domination.

The second half was more of the same. David Holwell kicked three penalties and Urwin two to make it 15-14 to the home side with time running out, but by then Wellington had gained the upper hand.

Lock Inoke Afeaki scored the game-breaking try with five minutes remaining after sustained Wellington pressure and, try as they might, Taranaki could not bridge the gap.

No 8 Filo Tiatia and rookie halfback Dan Kirton were the pick of the Wellington team.

The loss almost certainly ended any hopes Taranaki had of repeating last year's achievement in making the semifinals, while Wellington are still in the hunt in fifth place. - NZPA