1 Sep 2012

Taranaki defends Ranfurly Shield

9:36 pm on 1 September 2012

The Taranaki rugby team has defended the Ranfurly Shield, beating a determined Tasman 49 - 40 in a high-scoring, fast paced inter-divisional game in New Plymouth.

Taranaki scored the first try within 30 seconds and the points kept coming, with Taranaki scoring its fifth and final try to seal the win in the last couple of minutes.

Tasman also scored five tries.

Earlier, championship side Northland upset premiership contenders Waikato 29 - 27 in Hamilton and Canterbury posted a bonus point 36 - 3 thrashing of North Harbour.