Livewire halfback powersMagpies into final while Northland prepare for Napier battle
HAWKE’S Bay will go into the Championship final against Northland as warm favourites after they demolished a depleted Taranaki 59-23 yesterday.
Inspirational captain Ash Dixon grabbed three tries in a dominant performance as the Magpies withstood some early Taranaki pressure and then turned on the class, proving lethal from turnover ball.
The star of the show, however, was Hawke’s Bay halfback Folau Fakatava. He appeared to cover almost every blade of grass at McLean Park and marshalled his pack superbly, frequently finding the right runner with a passing game that improves in variety with every campaign.
He put the icing on a superb performance with a 70-metre try in the 53rd minute, after Dixon had stolen the ball at a Taranaki ruck.
Fakatava left the Taranaki chasers in his dust with a burst of acceleration to push the score out to 45-11 and give the Magpies some seriousmomentum for next weekend’s home final.
At just 20, Fakatava is already in his third year of Mitre 10 Cup and must surely be given more opportunities at the Highlanders next year.
Dixon, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Jonah Lowe and locks Tom Parsons and Geoff Cridge were also excellent for the Magpies, whose mixture of grunt and flair was highlighted by Dixon’s third try in the 61st minute.
The ball went through multiple pairs of hands after a brilliant break from MikaeleTu’u on the outside, and Dixon was in the right place to collect the five-pointer.
The hooker and Fakatava were replaced after that score to a standing ovation, as the Magpies used the opportunity to keep them fresh for the final.
In front of a healthy crowd at McLean Park, thanks to the Hawke’s Bay union’s free entrance initiative, both sides showed an early desire to move the ball in good conditions.
Rival No 10s Caleb Makene and Stephen Perofeta sparked their attacks with their running and passing games, while talented Bulls youngster Jacob Raumaitayuki-Kneepkens was also prominent.
Taranaki’s scrum had the early edge, however, and fullback Jayson Potroz booted two penalties in the first 20 minutes to give them a 6-0 lead.
The first try of the game went to the home side. Following a strong maul, Fakatava hit Cridge with a flat pass reminiscent of an Aaron Smith delivery and the big lock crashed over.
Taranaki responded minutes later with a five-pointer through Lukas Halls, but Fakatavawould not be denied.
With Makene off the paddock injured – replaced by Lincoln McClutchie – Fakatava took charge of the game and set up powerful No 7 Solomone Funaki close to the line.
The Magpies’ forwards then went up a few gears and struck twice more in the 10 minutes before halftime.
First, prop Pouri RaketeStones showed some real gas to collect a grubber kick from Stacey Ili to dive over.
Then, captain Dixon picked up his customary try from a driving maul, as Taranaki paid the price for some poor discipline.
That gave the Magpies a 28-11 lead to take into halftime and they were far from finished. Replacement halfback Connor McLeod finished off another brilliant team try in the final quarter, although a late surge from a gallant Taranaki added a touch of respectability.