Stunning first half spurs Waikato to shield win
Add another chapter to Waikato’s rich Ranfurly Shield history.
After more than a year without tasting victory, the Mooloos have sensationally reversed their fortunes around this week and claimed the old log after a remarkable raid in Taranaki.
Waikato won 33-19 at Yarrow Stadium yesterday in a manner that resembled their 46-10 shield triumph in 2012 but Taranaki wouldn’t rollover so easily this time.
The amber-and-blacks came to life in the second half, ferociously fighting back and applying the blowtorch to Waikato’s desperate defence but Taranaki’s sixth reign would end after four defences.
Waikato, who boast the third best shield record behind only Auckland and Canterbury, were unsuccessful when challenging to wrestle the log away from Canterbury after the perennial provincial champions ended their last reign almost two years ago.
But the 2018 Mooloos fought tooth and nail to deny a Taranaki onslaught, claiming not only a priceless Mitre 10 Cup victory in a crossover clash that gives their Championship campaign a shot in the arm, but the most famous piece of silverware in provincial rugby.
Waikato’s first defence comes around quickly, against Hawke’s Bay in Hamilton on Thursday, as they claimed their second victory from five in a season that suddenly feels like its heading in the right direction.
After ending their 10-match losing streak with an emphatic six-try win over Wellington on Wednesday, Waikato coach Jono Gibbes wanted them to play and play they did.
In Taranaki’s 100th shield match, the Mooloos ran riot in the opening 40 minutes with such confidence – a trait often completely absent in the last 12 months – in a contest in which they were labelled as heavy underdogs against a Taranaki outfit that is beginning to run more cold than hot during a flaky Premiership campaign.
Waikato, historically, have the wood on Taranaki in Shield encounters and the last successful defence of their previous reign was a 20-20 draw against the amber-and-blacks in Hamilton in 2016.
This time the challengers, Waikato started with plenty of positive intent and that thirst for attack resulted in five clinical first-half tries for the Mooloos, who incredibly led 33-7 at halftime.
Taranaki responded to a likely stern message from the sheds and played like a different side in the second half as Waikato’s huge advantage narrowed.
Despite applying intense pressure for long periods, Waikato’s defence stood firm as their forwards fronted up against Taranaki’s increasingly desperate attack.
Captain Dwayne Sweeney scored early as Waikato’s challenge started brightly but Regan Ware’s try brought the hosts level as the New Zealand sevens flyer superbly skipped the tacklers to cross the whitewash.
Then an excellent break from Quinn Tupaea, as well as some superb composure from Waikato’s teenage centre, led to Adam Burn scoring as the Mooloos went ahead again.
James Tucker planted the ball against the post as Waikato stretched their advantage to 19-7 and the Shield looked to be heading to Hamilton when Samisoni Taukei’aho and Tupaea finished off two more brilliant tries.
But Taranaki hit back after the break as Manasa Mataele and Seta Tamanivalu brought the holders to within two converted tries with 31 minutes still remaining.
Taranaki threw everything at Waikato, who would hang on gallantly to claim another fabulous Shield success.
At a glance
Waikato 33
(Dwayne Sweeney, Adam Burn, James Tucker, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Quinn Tupaea tries; Fletcher Smith 4 con) (Regan Ware, Manasa Mataele, Seta Tamanivalu tries; Beaudein Waaka 2 con). HT: 7-33.
Taranaki 19