Rugby: Slater hat-trick helps Taranaki into semifinals

Photo by John Velvin. 

A hat-trick of tries from hooker Bradley Slater has helped Taranaki overcome a slow start to beat North Harbour 50-31 and book their place in the National Provincial Championship semifinals.

The Taranaki captain led from the front at North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Saturday afternoon, scoring three tries from rolling mauls as the visitors overcame an early nine-point deficit.

After trailing 14-5 in the first half, Taranaki scored 45 unanswered points to take control of the quarterfinal before North Harbour mounted a late comeback.

The victory secured Taranaki a place in next weekend's semifinals, with their opponent to be determined following Sunday's quarterfinal between Canterbury and Waikato. The final match-ups will depend on the placings of the four remaining teams.

It was another impressive attacking display from Jarrad Hoeata's side, which had beaten Wellington 68-26 in the final round of the regular season.

However, North Harbour made the brighter start, with Rory Taylor crossing inside the opening minute before Cam Howell converted.

Taranaki responded through Kini Naholo in the 11th minute, following a strong break from Daniel Rona, but struggled to build momentum as Harbour continued to threaten.

The Bulls were also reduced to 14 players when Meihana Grindlay was yellow-carded after half an hour, with Taylor scoring his second try shortly afterwards to extend Harbour's advantage to 14-5.

That appeared to spark Taranaki into action.

Slater scored his first try from a rolling maul in the 35th minute before Michael Loft crossed just before halftime, giving the visitors a 17-14 lead at the break.

Taranaki carried that momentum into the second half, with Naholo scoring his second try shortly after the restart.

The Bulls' forward pack then took control, with Slater scoring twice more from rolling mauls to complete his hat-trick as Harbour struggled to contain Taranaki's set-piece dominance.

The introduction of regular captain Kaylum Boshier, returning from a hand injury, also provided a boost as the Bulls began to find space in the Harbour defence.

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens finished a sweeping attacking move in the 57th minute before Vereniki Tikoisolomone crossed three minutes later, taking Taranaki to the 50-point mark with 20 minutes remaining.

First-five Sam Clarke, who started in place of All Black Josh Jacomb, added five conversions.

North Harbour finished strongly, with Sam Wye and Hunter Rice scoring late tries, while Boshier was yellow-carded in the closing stages.

However, the damage had already been done, with Taranaki comfortably securing their passage to the final four.

The result was particularly encouraging given Taranaki were without several leading players, including All Blacks Beauden Barrett, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord and Jacomb.

There was also concern surrounding midfielder Daniel Rona, who failed a head injury assessment following a cleanout and was unable to return to the field.

Rona's availability will be another consideration for Hoeata ahead of the semifinal as Taranaki look to keep their championship hopes alive.

The Bulls have now scored 118 points across their past two matches, although their slow start and late defensive lapses against Harbour will provide areas to address ahead of their next knockout fixture.