9 Oct 2010

Taranaki hold on for bonus point win in New Plymouth

6:43 pm on 9 October 2010

Two late tries sealed the 30-16 win for Taranaki in their national provincial rugby match against Manawatu in New Plymouth.

The home side did not put on the dominant performance expected and despite going to halftime leading 15-3, coach Colin Cooper says he gave his team a bit of a rocket for just cruising in the first half and not making the most of what he thought was a 15-point wind advantage.

For Taranaki, fullback Scott Ireland and Andre Taylor scored first half tries. Willie Ripia kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Manawatu got first blood after the break with their first try to No 8 Hamish Gosling, converted by Aaron Cruden.

The sides swapped penalties as Cooper made three substitutions in a further attempt to to ginger up his side.

Jayden Hayward and Beauden Barrett crossed in the last 10 minutes and Taylor knocked over one conversion to put Taranaki comfortably in front again.

Taranaki's bonus point keeps them in the top four, and still in with a chance to play for a home semifinal.