Shield is next for Taranaki

Taranaki 34 Northland 12

Taranaki blew away Northland in the first half in New Plymouth to secure their second successive win of the season.

Playing directly into a southerly wind Taranaki led 29-7 at the break.

They quickly had a bonus point in the bag, scoring four tries in the first 25 minutes.

New Zealand Maori and Taranaki wing Shayne Austin had a hat-trick before he was subbed in the second spell and Hurricanes and Taranaki flanker Brent Thompson capped off another fine game with two tries.

Taranaki No 8 Richard Bryant was outstanding as the link man and he had strong support from Thompson and lock Paul Tito.

Austin and fullback Daryl Lilley were the best of the Taranaki backs.

Lilley pulled off two try-saving tackles in the second half, one when he chased down Fero Lasagavibau and the second when he nailed speedy replacement winger Sam Davis.

It was the perfect buildup for Taranaki, with a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury in Christchurch this Saturday.

Northland now face the daunting task of picking up the pieces before playing Waikato in Whangarei on Sunday.

- NZPA