Taranaki beat Southland in terrible conditions

Above photo: Taranaki's Marty McKenzie is the leading points scorer in the NPC with a 100% record in last night's win over Southland. Photo by Dave Lintott Photography

It wasn’t pretty but Taranaki beat Southland in atrocious conditions at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth last night 30-14 in national provincial rugby action.  

Usually rugby takes centre stage when it comes to town, but strong winds and rain were the dominate feature, so bad that most of Sky Television’s crew couldn’t get in on time, but the game went to air at the usual time thanks to having a select number at the ground.  

Played in front of a hearty crowd of around 3,500 the win is Taranaki’s third from four matches whereas Southland are yet to win a game and sit at the bottom of the championship table.

Sporting pink and black hoops in support of Women’s Refuge, Taranaki scored first playing into the strong wind as Sean Wainui charged down a Southland kick as they looked to clear from inside their own 22.  

Southland responded immediately with two penalty kicks to first five-eighth Greg Dyer which was helped by the wind for the score to be 7-6 in the early stages of the first half.  

Beaudein Waaka was put in space after a beautifully weight cross-field kick by Marty McKenzie wasn’t handled by winger who only needed to catch it and run five metres to the line. The hard work in the lead up to that came from a 35m driving maul which Taranaki’s didn’t exploit all that often during the game.  

McKenzie, who was back at first five for his side slotted two more penalties and Dyer kicked one before the break with a 13-9 lead for Taranaki as Southland struggled to play with the wind at their backs.  

Five minutes after halftime Taranaki were patient in their build up to score through lock Ben Matwijow with excellent control at the base of each breakdown helped them. The conversion by McKenzie was slotted shortly after along with a penalty kick as the leading points scorer in the competition.  

Again the forward pack played their part, who were put into good field position from McKenzie. It was replacement flanker Lachlan Boshier who drove over the line to score.  

Trailing by 30-9 with ten minutes remaining Southland were back down Taranaki’s half, not finished at all as veteran Jason Rutledge scored.  

Southland were desperate as time was up trying to search for an extra point but the ball was turned over and kicked out for Taranaki to take the glory in their second home game of the season.  

While the win is important, there are concerns for Taranaki prop Mike Kainga who was stretched off the field in the second half with what looked like a serious knee injury.  

While it’s hard to critique the performance by both sides in the terrible conditions, Taranaki’s scrum was under pressure by Southland but Taranaki’s defence did not let them down.

Southland played well in parts including moving the ball wide, however the conditions weren’t that conducive for that type of play.  

Next weekend Taranaki head to Pukekohe to face a dangerous looking Counties Manukau side and then play Waikato in Hamilton for the Ranfurly Shield.  

Taranaki 30 (Sean Wainui, Ben Matwijow, Lachlan Boshier tries; Marty McKenzie 3 pens, 3 cons) 
Southland 14 (Jason Rutledge try; Greg Dyer 3 pens)
HT: 13-9