Otago nailed by resurgent Taranaki

Taranaki move back into pole position

Taranaki maintained a good chance of a semi-final place after a convincing 31-14 victory against the struggling Otago in Round Eight of the Air New Zealand NPC on Friday.

Despite the win, hwoever, Taranaki will still need to see what happens in the remaining games this weekend to see what they have to do to make the semifinals.

Lowly Otago looked like they had thoughts of their summer holidays, and not playing entertaining rugby.

Taranaki's Aussie recruit Brock James, got the scoring underway with a penalty in the ninth minute.

On two occasions Otago fly-half Shaun Webb missed penalties that could have edged his side into the game, but his attempts drifted wide.

Taranaki made numerous breaks into the Otago half, but the tight Otago defence was resolute.

James added another penalty in the 32nd minute.

Taranaki struggled in the line-outs, but eventually got it right, spreading the ball to the backs, putting away fullback Scott Ireland to score out wide.

Otago started the second half in the worst possible fashion when they conceded a penalty close to their line, resulting in three points, taking Taranaki to a 16-0 lead.

That score finally got the visitors into action, scoring a typical 'smash and dash' try through All Black hooker Anton Oliver.

Webb converted to bring the score to 16-7.

James popped over a penalty minutes later, taking the home team to 20 points, causing Otago heads to finally drop. And the visitors were never really in the game afterwards.

Taranaki scored two more tries through James Hilgendorf and Mark Stewart to take the game well away from Otago.

Otago managed a consolation try through Warren Smith, bagging their second try in the process, but it was never going to be enough to ruin the Taranaki party.

The scorers:

For Taranaki:
Tries: Ireland, Hilgendorf, Stewart.
Cons: James 2
Pens: James 4

For Otago:
Tries: Oliver, Smith.
Cons: Webb 2