Taranaki Whio defeat Mako for second win in the Farah Palmer Cup
Taranaki Whio defeat Mako for second win in the FPC
By Will Johnston [Stuff]
The Taranaki Whio claimed their second win of the Farah Palmer Cup when they beat Tasman 34-12 at Inglewood’s TET Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In what was just the third outing between the two teams, Taranaki scored six tries to two.
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Chelsea Fowler scores a try under the posts.
They backed up their first win in the competition at the same ground last year, when they beat North Harbour 32-29.
Taranaki bagged 17 unanswered points after leading 17-12 at half-time in their best performance to date.
Captain Chelsea Fowler was blown away by the team’s third round performance.
“[It’s] just amazing. We worked so hard for this, and the girls just had all that self-belief and we’re on our home soil, so it feels so good to be here,” she told Sky Sport.
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Tasman's Easter Salelio is held up by Taranaki defence.
Fowler scored a try herself in the second half after receiving a pass from player of the match Aroha Nuku.
“She’s a workhorse,” she said of Nuku, who scored two tries.
“I know and trust she’s going to be with me. We know how to support one another.”
LISA BURD/STUFF
Jayme Ngaia running strong.
Nuku also gained several meters up field for Taranaki and played a pivotal role off the back of the solid scrum.
Fowler said the many young players in the squad fit in and bring energy.
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Tamara Silcock reaching for the ball in a lineout.
Taranaki’s ball handling was excellent, aided by the perfect conditions.
The backline was able to move the ball freely and put the wingers, 16-year-old Keighly Simpson and Paige Neilson, into space.
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Aroha Nuku, of Taranaki Whio, charging on attack.
Unfortunately, Neilson left the field in the first half with a dislocated shoulder.
Simpson scored a second-half try on her wing after quick thinking from halfback Kelsyn McCook.
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Hannah McLean, of Taranaki Whio, brushing through a tackle as she is about to score.
Tiana Davison and Hannah McLean scored a try each in the first half.
McLean had just come on for Neilson and immediately made a difference, while she also tackled well when Tasman were on attack.
First-five eight Chloe Sampson kicked two conversions from six attempts.
For Tasman, Eve Findlay scored a try on her wing and Samoan sevens representative Sui Pauaraisa dotted down before halftime. Findlay was able to convert the second conversion.
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Hannah Kelly, of Tasman Mako, passes from the scrum.
Taranaki travel to North Harbour next weekend, while Tasman are in Northland in round four.
Taranaki Whio 34 (T Davison, H McLean, C Fowler, K Simpson A Nuku 2 tries; C Sampson 2 con) Tasman 12 (E Finlay, M Pauaraisa tries; Finlay con) HT: 17-12.
