Dramatic victory for Taranaki in NPC final [Fairfax]

Trace tonight's NPC Premiership win for Taranaki back to a decision made on Trafalgar Park on September 11.

On that night, Tasman opted to chase a four try bonus point when they were protecting a six point lead against the opponents they met at Yarrow Stadium in the final.

That decision not only would go on to cost Tasman the chance of hosting the final but most would say the title because home advantage meant a lot to Taranaki as they triumphed 36-32 in a dramatic, action packed end to the domestic top flight season last night.

Taranaki had to deal with the late withdrawal of influential No 8 Blade Thomson before the game after he failed a concussion test.

Things got worse 15 minutes into the match when Thomson's replacement, Iopu Iopu-Aso, limped off with a knee injury.

Not that it appeared to bother Taranaki too much as they fed off the charge generated by the sell-out of 21,000 home fans to go six points up through two Codey Rei penalties.

The same could not be said for the usually deadly reliable Marty Banks who failed to keep his nerve with his first shot, pushing it wide from nearly in front.

Fortunately for Banks he got another crack from even closer after Kieran Fonotia was given the benefit of a 50-50 call from television match official Glenn Newman who judged he had scraped the ball on the chalk for the game's first try.The try energised Tasman who wanted to keep the ball in play as they tried to counter attack at every opportunity.

With the personnel at their disposal it was little wonder, especially with the form players like Fonotia, Robbie Malneek, James Lowe and Bryce Heem have been in recent weeks.

They had Taranaki stretched, too, while the usual authority they have enjoyed for the majority of the season at set piece was pressurised at every opportunity.

Tasman's defence was also showing how staunch it could be as they stopped the usually destructive Seta Tamanivalu behind the advantage line. It was on one of those occasions that led to a turnover and almost Tasman's second try, evergreen halfback Chris Smylie saving the day through some great cover work, allowing the crowd to breathe out. 

Then, almost as quickly, Taranaki were on the attack. This time they could finish it, with hooker Rhys Marshall crashing over for his second try in as many weeks.

The momentum shifts were sudden as every missed tackle created an opportunity, such was the break neck speed of the match.

Banks' first penalty at least gave the players, and the crowd, a chance for a breath, although the nature of the  match meant Rei was lining up another shot from the kick-off.

Even with 20 seconds left on the clock Tasman were not prepared to slow it down as they stretched Taranaki from phase to phase and side to side before Berny Hall buried his shoulder into the midriff of Siua Hulanukunuka who spilt it forward and the players could finally take a respite, the score reading 16-10 to Taranaki.

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If there were any questions raised that the final would be short of quality because of the absence of an established and regular finalist, then they were dispelled in that first half.

Anyone stuck in the line at the urinals at halftime would have been disappointed if they were three minutes late getting back to the action because Taranaki turned defence into attack after a brilliant return from near his line before a deep kick spun almost in a circle to allow Charlie Ngatai bounced to score.

The next couple of minutes produced a miss and a collect from Banks before he dragged another wide.

Tasman's hellbent attitude to spin it at every opportunity hurt them, though, when Ngatai latched onto a pass and sprinted 55m to score. His reward was the shepherd's crook, his tender ribs more of a concern for New Zealand Maori coach Colin Cooper who was not prepared to risk his new captain ahead.

Sitting 20 points behind Tasman needed to chase the game and they did it with authority, first Billy Guyton sneaking over before Pete Samu went in under the posts to make it a six point game with eight minutes remaining.

Then, for some reason Tasman's forwards switched off, advanced ahead of a clearance kick and Rei had the chance to make it a nine point buffer. He didn't miss, like he didn't all night.

AT A GLANCE

Taranaki 36 (Charlie Ngatai 2, Rhys Marshall tries; Codey Rei 5 pens, 3 cons) Tasman 32 (Billy Guyton 2, Pete Samu, Kieran Fonotia tries; Marty Banks 2 pens, 3 cons). HT: 16-10

Fixtures

Saturday 25 October

ITM Cup

FTTaranaki36-32Tasmanshow details

Referee

Glen Jackson

Venue

Yarrow Stadium

• Cody Rei 3'
• Cody Rei 7'
• Iopu Iopu-Aso Mitchell Brown 14'
• Rhys Marshall 31'
• Cody Rei 32'
• Cody Rei 39'
• Charlie Ngatai 42'
• Cody Rei 43'
• Charlie Ngatai 54'
• Cody Rei 55'
• Mitchell Graham Sione Lea 55'
• Charlie Ngatai Kurt Baker 55'
• Cody Rei 57'
• Chris Smylie Jamison Gibson-Park 61'
• Riki Hoeata Leighton Price 65'
• Angus Taavao-Matau Ryan Cocker 70'
• Sione Lea Mitchell Graham 72'
• Cody Rei 73'
• Waisake Naholo Jackson Ormond 74'

• Kieron Fonotia 18'
• Marty Banks 19'
• Jimmy Cowan Billy Guyton 32'
• Marty Banks 37'
• Billy Guyton Jimmy Cowan 40'
• Jimmy Cowan Billy Guyton 43'
• Marty Banks 48'
• Tom Marshall David Kaetau Havili 57'
• Joseph Wheeler Tevita Cavubati 57'
• David Kaetau Havili Tom Marshall 59'
• Billy Guyton 64'
• Marty Banks 65'
• Bryce Heem Mitchell Scott 65'
• Robbie Malneek David Kaetau Havili 69'
• Peter Samu 71'
• Marty Banks 71'
• Siua Halanukonuka Reuben Northover 72'
• Billy Guyton 79'

Commentary

• 80commentMISS - The referee says there is not enough time after the kick so Taranaki have won! Banks misses the kick and the final score is 36 - 32 to Taranaki!
• 80commentFULL TIME - We have new champions of the ITM Cup in the form of Taranaki! No one would have picked them at the start of the season but 21,000 fans are going nuts and didn't they deserve the win. Well done Taranaki a great win for NZ rugby.
• 79commentTRY TASMAN - The Makos score through Guyton with seconds remaining! The big question is will there be enough time for the conversion? What a dramatic finsih we have here.
• 79commentWe are in to the last minute and it appears Taranaki have done enough. Tasman continue to throw everything at the home side but need to score twice in 1 minute.
• 76commentTaranaki come up with some huge defence to edge closer to victory. A big tackle forced the error and the home side has one hand on the ITM Cup trophy.
• 73commentPENALTY GOAL TARANAKI - That could prove the telling blow against Tasman. Rei makes it 8 from 8 after Tasman were caught offside chasing a kick. The Makos have to score twice in 6 minutes to win the championship.
• 71commentCONVERSION TASMAN - Banks chips over the conversion within seconds and the home crowd has gone quiet and appears very nervous.
• 71commentTRY TASMAN - The Makos will not die without a fight! They crash over for another try through Samu and with a kick to come Tasman are right back in this final.
• 68commentThe Tasman forwards step up at scrum time! They got a big push on against Taranaki and won the penalty even without the feed. What can they produce from an attacking lineout?
• 65commentCONVERSION TASMAN - Banks wastes little time before knocking over the two points to bring the Makos back within 13 points.
• 64commentTRY TASMAN - You cannot count out Tasman just yet. The took the quick tap from the 22 and strung some phases together with some big carries and then Guyton snuck over from dummy half to score a crucial try which gives Tasman some hope.
• 61commentTasman win a much needed penalty and Banks kicks the ball downfield. They will need to come up with some points in a hurry the Makos as they really are chasing the game now.
• 58commentPENALTY GOAL TARANAKI - Rei puts the home side further out of reach with another brilliant shot at goal. This one from 40 out and it never looked like missing.
• 56commentCONVERSION TARANAKI - Cody Rei simply cannot miss tonight! He bangs over the conversion from the sideline as the crowd erupts.
• 54commentTRY TARANAKI - Intercept! Ngatai intercepts the pass from Marshall and then streaks away to score untouched! That is a huge blow to the Tasman Makos who were hot on attack.
• 53commentMISS - The occasion has got to Marty Banks on a number of occasions tonight and this time he pushes his attempt at goal when his side needed him to keep them in touch with Taranaki.
• 50commentTamanivalu gives us a glimpse of why he is such a promising talent. He broke two tackles with ease and then chose to put in a kick which he slices and kicks out on the full. A devastating run from the up and comer none the less.
• 48commentPENALTY GOAL TASMAN - Banks atones for his previous miss by slotting a much easier attempt at goal. That narrows the gap to 10 and remember there is still over half an hour to play in this final.
• 45commentMISS - Banks lines up an ambitious attempt from over 50 metres and strikes it well but pulls it to the left of the uprights.
• 43commentCONVERSION TARANAKI - Rei converts from a tough position to make it 23 points to 10! That could prove to be a pivotal moment in this final as it was against the run of play.
• 42commentTRY TARANAKI - Unbelievable long range try from the home side! That was as cruel as it gets for Tasman, the bounce of the ball just didn't go their way after a big kick was put in down field and Ngatai swooped on it for the try.
• 40commentBanks kicks play back underway from New Plymouth. All to play for in this second half and expect both sides to leave nothin gin the tank.
• 40commentHALF TIME - McKenzie kicks the ball out for half time and the players head to the sheds with Taranaki leading by 6. The ITM Cup Championship comes down to 40 minutes. Who will step up in the second 40 and claim the title.
• 38commentPENALTY GOAL TARANAKI - Not what Tasman were looking for as they concede a penalty immediately off the kick off. Cody Rei keeps his 100% record off the tee in tact and restores the 6 point margin.
• 36commentPENALTY GOAL TASMAN - Banks holds his nerve from 25 metres out to draw his side within 3 points.
• 35commentTasman earn themselves a much needed reprieve and are awarded a penalty. Taranaki went in off their feet at the breakdown and the ref had no choice but to penalise them.
• 32commentCONVERSION TARANAKI - Rei bangs over the conversion to extend the lead to 6 points. The momentum is back with Taranaki can they score more points heading into the half time break.
• 31commentTRY TARANAKI - Taranaki score from a quick tap! Brilliant thinking from Rhys Marshall to take the quick tap and catch the Tasman defence napping to score next to the posts.
• 27commentA poor phase from the visitors began with an ugly pass from Cowan and then a knock on whilst on the ground from the winger Heem. Then to make it worse Tasman concede a penalty, not what the coach will be looking for.
• 23commentThis game is being played at a roaring pace and both sides are happy to take the quick lineouts and keep play going. The forwards look exhausted already and we are only 24 minutes into the game.
• 20commentCONVERSION TASMAN - This time Banks makes no mistake with the shot at goal from right next to the uprights and he gives his side the first lead of the night.
• 19commentTRY TASMAN - Tasman score the first try of the final! The ref went upstairs and the video was not very clear but the TMO says award the try! Fonotia the try scorer after crashing over the line.
• 17commentMISS - Banks shows a sign of nerves by pulling the kick wide to the left from right out in front. That was a shocker from the usually reliable Banks and the score remains 6 nil to Taranaki.
• 13commentGreat work from Tasman at the breakdown they were quick to pile in at the breakdown and force the turnover. Banks kicks the ball long and the visitors have a great platform to attack from.
• 11commentA couple of scrappy errors from both sides slows down what has been a frenetic start to the ball game. Both sides are prepared to throw the ball around and not die wandering.
• 7commentPENALTY GOAL TARANAKI - Rei makes it two kicks from two! Taranaki are dominating field position and are converting it into points and now lead by 6 points.
• 4commentPENALTY GOAL TARANAKI - Taranaki draw first blood in the final through the boot of Cody Rei to delight the home crowd. 3 nil to the Naki after five minutes.
• 2commentPoor error off the back of the lineout from Tasman as they pass straight to Taranaki player who rushed out. Tasman on the back foot now.
• 0commentMcKenzie kicks off proceedings from New Plymouth and the crowd has turned out in big numbers. Conditions are perfect for some running rugby.
• 0commentThe ITM Cup Premiership final comes to you from New Plymouth as Taranaki host Tasman. It is not the final everyone was expecting but there will be plenty of feeling in this one for NZ provincial honours.

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