-
Northland's Rene Ranger - Source: Photosport -
Related
Northland made the most of their chances to kick-start the new
national provincial rugby championship with a shock 26-19 win over
Taranaki in New Plymouth tonight.
After finishing second from last in 2009, the Northlanders made an
immediate mark with a result which owed much to their tenacious
qualities as well as the charitable nature of their
opponents.
Taranaki were sloppy in much of their work and two of Northland's
three tries came directly from intercepts as the home side paid the
maximum penalty for wayward passing.
Taranaki's frustrations were apparent in the closing minutes when
Northland wing Lachie Munro landed a 45m penalty to confirm the
result after referee Garratt Williamson penalised the home side
then made Munro's task all the easier by marching the home side 10m
for back chat.
Northland had the better discipline and deserved to prevail in a
scrappy, error ridden affair.
The first round fixture lacked quality, with neither side capable
to retaining possession for any period of time, leading to a
stop-start affair interspersed with the odd piece of individual
flair.
Taranaki had led 19-18 at halftime after the lead changed hands on
five occasions.
First five-eighth Willie Ripia's accurate goalkicking enabled them
to edge ahead as he contributed 14 points to complement their sole
try in the period to flanker Chris Walker, who flopped over the
line in the 30th minute following a strong run to the line by his
No. 8 Ben Souness.
Northland fed off Taranaki's mistakes during the opening half when
the home side missed 11 tackles and made 17 errors.
But they, too, lacked fluidity although their backs looked
threatening at times, particularly when All Blacks utility Rene
Ranger got his hands on the ball at centre.
Flanker Dean Budd pulled off a 60m intercept try in the 12th minute
against the run of play, but there was nothing fortunate about
their second when they stole lineout ball nine minutes later.
The ball was quickly ferried to Ranger, who set off on a long,
angled run before he popped a pass for his wing Simon Munro to
cross in the right-hand corner.
Northland snuck ahead shortly after the break when wing Lachie
Munro latched on to another intercept and had just enough pace over
40m to reach the tryline.
Northland 26
Tries: Dean Budd, Simon Munro, Lachie Munro
Con: Lachie Munro
Pens: Lachie Munro (3)
Taranaki 19
Try: Chris Walker
Con: Willie Ripia
Pens: Willie Ripia (4)
Halftime: Taranaki 19-18
