Taranaki's 26-year wait over

Taranaki upset Canterbury 30-23 yesterday to maintain their unbeaten record at the top of the NPC first division.

A standing ovation from the 8000-strong crowd summed it up after a gutsy effort from a side lacking stars but playing as a team tipped over a Canterbury side stacked with All Blacks.

It was Taranaki's first NPC win over Canterbury for 26 years and the second time in a fortnight they had beaten the Ranfurly Shield holders.

Two weeks ago, Taranaki beat Bay of Plenty 48-16, but, like yesterday, the shield wasn't up for grabs.

Taranaki's win, their fifth of the season, lifted them to 23 points on the table for a realistic chance of making the semifinals.

Wellington, who are second, have 20 points.

"Fantastic. It's something I've never experienced before and it's something the guys will remember," Taranaki coach Kieran Crowley said later.

"The guys gave it everything and they're out on their feet now. There's a few walking wounded. The crowd was magnificent. It wasn't easy watching in those last few minutes."

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean praised the Taranaki effort.

"You can't take anything away from them," he said. "They played really well. They played with a lot of passion and with a lot of rugby intelligence.

"We weren't that far away at the end. We'll need to step up against Southland on Saturday when the shield is at stake."

Taranaki totally dominated the first quarter but came up empty as Canterbury's defence held.

It was Canterbury who scored first, thanks to a penalty by Daniel Carter, but their lead was short-lived with Taranaki's two Australians - first five-eighths Brock James and fullback Jimmy Hilgendorf - combining to conjure up some magic.

James put a grubber kick into the Canterbury in-goal and Hilgendorf celebrated his return to NPC rugby after injury with a try by the posts.

James extended the lead with a penalty, and five minutes before halftime Hilgendorf was over for his second try after a slick inside pass from second five-eighths Lifeimi Mafi.

Carter trimmed the deficit to 17-6 with a second penalty on halftime.

There were ominous signs in the opening five minutes of the second spell, with Taranaki's defence holding on by a thread as Canterbury pounded away. But their only reward was a Carter penalty.

The restart was a total shambles for Canterbury, as their players stood and watched as the ball bounced. Man-of-the-match Chris Masoe stormed on to the ball, brushed off a flimsy tackle and charged 20m to score under the posts.

With James' conversion and another penalty, the home side led 27-9 and the game was all but in the bag.

But Canterbury came back with tries by All Black midfielder Aaron Mauger and flanker Johnny Leo'o, with Carter converting both to close it to 27-23.

It was all on for the final 15 minutes.

Canterbury hammered away, but Taranaki's defence held firm.

With two minutes remaining, James gave his team a little more breathing space by kicking his third penalty to make it 30-23 and the home side held on desperately until the final whistle.

Taranaki meet Auckland in Auckland on Saturday.

Amber and black

* First competition win against Canterbury since 1978.

* Have five wins from five in season so far.

* Averaging 38 points a game and have missed bonus point only twice.

- NZPA

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