Taranaki wallop woeful Lions in Wellington sunshine

Above: Wellington's Alex Fidow searching for a way through Taranaki's defences in their NPC match on Sunday Afternoon. Photo credit: Dave Lintott Photography.

Taranaki 54 (Stephen Perofeta 3, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Toa Halafihi, Seta Tamanivalu. Jackson Ormond tries; Marty McKenzie 3 pen, 4 con; Perofeta con) beat Wellington 31 (Alex Fidow, Joe Hill, James Blackwell, Mark Reddish tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop pen, 4 con). HT 20-3.

The match between Wellington and Taranaki in 1907 remains the only provincial match to be officially abandoned in New Zealand. The weather was so bad the referee called the game off at halftime, with Wellington leading 3-0.

Midway through the second half when Taranaki fullback Stephen Perofeta crossed for his second of three tries of the afternoon to take the score to 42-3, many of Wellington’s players and a couple of thousand sparse supporters watching live would have been partial for referee Angus Mabey to call time then and then.

This was a poor performance by the home side on their Old Timers’ Day and for the John F. Henning Trophy against their old foe Taranaki, who beat Wellington for just the fifth time in the Men’s NPC competition and for the second time at Westpac Stadium (after winning 38-22 in 2014).

A malfunctioning lineout, poor general kicking, too much individualism and a general inability to absorb what Taranaki’s committed pack and big defensive unit could throw at them contributed to Taranaki putting 50 points on them for the first time ever.

It all started promisingly enough for Wellington, an early raid followed by a penalty to fullback Jackson Garden’ Bachop.

But the rest of the first and much of the second belonged to Taranaki.

Playing with the wind, Bulls flyhalf Marty McKenzie equalised with a penalty then pushed Wellington deep inside own 22 with a raking kick. Taranaki won the lineout ball against the throw and Spotswood/Ories flanker Iopu Iopu-Aso ran in the game’s first try.

The Lions did well to keep the visitors out again over the next 10 minutes or so, but in the 27th minute Taranaki scored a try that summed up the game nicely, to extend their lead to 17-3.Lions pivot Pakai Turia and fullback Garden-Bachop made a horror mix-up at the back, making a meal of a Mckenzie high kick and Taranaki fullback Perofeta pouring through to scoop up the loose ball and scamper to the whitewash.

In the 35th minute, McKenzie extended the lead to 20-3 with a sweetly struck penalty.

Wellington should have scored just before halftme with their best period of the match thus far. But two blown lineouts, including a clean steal by Taranaki and Tukapa lock Leighton Price and a try saving tackle over the line by Tukapa flanker Mitchell Croswell put paid to that.

Wellington’s lineout woes continued after the interval, an overthrow and a 50-metre counterattack leading directly to Taranaki scoring their third try through Spotswood flanker Toa Halafihi and extending their lead to 27-3.

Taranaki kept the heat on Wellington with their big defence and Wellington couldn’t escape their own territory. In the 50th minute McKenzie kicked his third penalty, extending the lead to 30-3.

Two minutes later McKenzie opened the Lions up like a can of soup in June, offloading to centre Seta Tamanivalu who cruised into score their bonus point try.

In the 57th minute, Tamanivalu could have scored again but for Wellington second five-eighth Shaun Treeby calling for a pass. But fullback Perofeta ran back a poor clearing kick and waltzed in to score to make it 42-3.

Any hopes of a comeback, of sorts, were squashed when second five-eighth Johnny Fa’auli made another clean break and hurled a pass out to replacement Jackson Ormond who crossed in the corner.

Replacement Lions prop Chris Baumann was then sin-binned for a high tackle. The 14-man Lions responded with their first try of the afternoon through another replacement prop, Alex Fidow.

Wellington wing Joe Hill pinned his ears back and sprinted 45 metres for Wellington’s second try, converted from the sideline by Garden-Bachop.

But Taranaki pulled clear and notched their half century with fullback Perofeta steaming in off a scrum and scoring his third try of the afternoon. Ormond’s conversion made it 54-17.

Replacement forward James Blackwell and captain for the day and lock Mark Reddish closed the contest with consolation tries.

Key players

Taranaki played as a team, while Wellington played like a team of trialists. This was their third game in nine days and it showed.

McKenzie and Perofeta were the best backs on show all game, the latter rewarded with a hat-trick.

Two other players that stood out for Taranaki were lock Leighton Price who was part of a much better forward pack and second five-eighth Fa’auili who’s tackling was ferocious at times. Toa Halafihi was another Taranaki player to stand out.

Not much to cheer about for Wellington. Galu Taufale continued his year-long good form, Vaea Fifita put in some big hits in between absences, Alex Fidow added zest off the bench, but several players didn’t do themselves any favours.

By the numbers

Taranaki’s previous biggest win over Wellington was 46-10 in a pre-season match in 2000. Wellington went on to win the NPC that year.

This was Taranaki’s 47th win overall against Wellington. Wellington have won 119, there have been five draws and one abandonment (see above).

This was Taranaki’s biggest NPC win over Wellington, surpassing the 38-22 victory in 2014.

Where to next

A tale of two very contrasting campaigns.

Home side Wellington might look back and thank Reddish for scoring their bonus point try at the end. They are now level with Otago on 30 points in the Championship with one round to play.

Both Wellington and Otago will host home semi-finals in a fortnight, but whoever qualifies top can take home ground advantage for the final and in Wellington’s case avoid likely third placed Manawatu in their semi-final whom they lost heavily to on Wednesday night.

Wellington plays Waikato at home next Saturday night in their final regular season match.

Taranaki are running with the big boys. They just need a bonus point from their last match against Auckland at home on Thursday to qualify for the Premiership semi-finals. If they beat Auckland they will guarantee themselves a home semi-final.

The Teams

Wellington: Jackson Garden-Bachop, Joe Hill, Wes Goosen, Shaun Treeby, Josh Woodward, Pakai Turia, Sheridan Rangihuna, Hoani Matenga, Galu Taufale, Vaea Fafita, Mark Reddish, Isaia Walker-Leawaere, Joe Apikotoa, Asofo Aumua, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Ha’amea Ahio, Alex Fidow, James Blackwell, Greg Foe, Tomasi Palu, Mike Lealava’a, Lester Maulolo.

Taranaki: Stephen Perofeta, Declan O’Donnell, Seta Tamanivalu, Johnny Fa’auli, Latu Vaeno, Marty McKenzie, Kylem O’Donnell, Toa Halafihi, Mitchell Crosswell ©, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Leighton Price, Ben Matwijow, Ryan Cocker, Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Harry Jones, Jared Profit, Reuben O’Neill, Mitchell Brown, Berny Hall, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Sean Wainui, Jackson Ormond.