Rayasi’s late clincher proves heartbreaker for Taranaki
Auckland shaded Taranaki to go top of the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership yesterday after veteran Taranaki prop Ben May went unpunished for a suspected punch on Blake Gibson.
Star loose forward Lachlan Boshier has taken the Taranaki captaincy after a season-ending injury to Teihorangi Walden and proved again why he should soon be joining the wider All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship in Australia.
Boshier’s trademark turnovers and dominance around the ruck frustrated Premiership contenders Auckland, but Salesi Rayasi’s try in the 75th minute snatched a dramatic 29-28 victory at Inglewood’s TET Stadium. Taranaki’s third loss leaves them outside the Championship semifinal spots after five rounds.
Auckland conceded seven penalties in the opening 25 minutes after wing Rayasi opened the scoring, but it was the first penalty against Taranaki that could be scrutinised by a disciplinary panel.
Referee James Doleman asked his Television Match Official to look at what caused Auckland loose forward Gibson to reel away from a ruck holding his face in the 26th minute.
On closer inspection, a suspected punch from May struck Gibson near his eye socket. After discussing the incident with his TMO, Doleman opted not to punish the veteran after his left arm caught Gibson in the face. The blow was deemed accidental.
Trailing 23-5, Auckland scored three unanswered tries either side of halftime to have momentum heading into the final 28
minutes, trailing by one point.
The home crowd groaned when Taranaki were close to scoring when Auckland wing AJ Lam intercepted and sprinted 80 metres for his second try, but Taranaki were 28-22 ahead with 12 minutes left after Jacob Raumaitayuki-Kneepkens’ finish after a good attack.
Auckland regained the lead in the final minutes left after Rayasi’s second try and Harry Plummer’s conversion and resolute defence kept Taranaki out.
Rayasi was over inside the first minute with an outstanding individual try, but 23 unanswered points from Jayson Potroz soon wiped out Auckland’s lead as the Taranaki fullback pounced for the home side’s opening two tries.
Auckland were paying the price for mistakes and poor discipline with Potroz’s reliable boot converting three first-half penalties, but the visitors finished strongly before halftime and were back in the contest when lock Jack Whetton crossed.
Jonathan Ruru’s superb offload for Lam’s first try in the right corner was the perfect start to the second half for Auckland with Taranaki’s lead down to 23-17.
The two Auckland wings’ doubles ensured they secured another narrow victory.
Auckland now face reigning champions Tasman.