Farah Palmer Cup: Waikato down Taranaki to record second win
Taranaki have continued a strong start to the Farah Palmer Cup with a 76-14 demolition job against the Taranaki Whio in Hamilton yesterday.
With the sun shining, Waikato had far too much power and class for Taranaki, with the backs running rampant and big forwards such as Black Ferns bulldozer Toka Natua unstoppable.
After a close win against Northland last week, Waikato moved up a gear with Black Fern Chelsea Alley prominent in the backline.
Cheyelle Robins-Reti was also impressive for the home side, who temporarily move to the top of the ladder in the North Pool.
Black Fern Gayle Broughton tried hard to rally Taranaki but Waikato were simply too powerful with ball in hand and broke numerous tackles.
Meanwhile, last year’s champions Canterbury began their campaign with a tough 36-10 win against the Manawatu¯ Cyclones.
Canterbury started slowly and certainly didn’t have things all their own way against a spirited Cyclones side, but they eventually wore down their South Pool rivals at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North yesterday.
Wellington also started with a win, but their one against Tasman was much more one-sided.
The women from the capital blitzed Tasman 62-0 at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim, yesterday to begun their season in convincing fashion.
On Friday night, Black Ferns skipper and new mother Les Elder returned to rugby in style, scoring a try in Bay of Plenty’s 67-17 romp against North Harbour in Auckland.
Four months after giving birth to a daughter, Elder dived over for one of the 10 tries Volcanix scored as they opened their Farah Palmer Cup campaign with a bonus-point scalp.
Blessed with Black Ferns sevens players Kelly Brazier and Alena Saili, Bay of Plenty were a class above the hosts in a match where impressive wing Mahina Paul bagged four tries.
Waikato’s Carla Hohepa, above, makes a strong run during the round two Farah Palmer Cup match against Taranaki in Hamilton yesterday. Wellington’s Monica Tagoai, left, offloads against Tasman yesterday.