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Watch: Li scores five tries against Mitre 10 Cup leaders
By Online Editors
Defense was at a premium today in Albany, where home side North Harbour handed Taranaki a 64-33 lesson in the final round of the Mitre 10 Cup.
Star of the show was Highlanders winger Tevita Li, who crossed for five tries including a first half hat trick. Only one of those could be described as easy, with the his last seeing him beat four defenders to score in the corner.
In all, Harbour scored nine tries in the rout that saw Taranaki clearly showing signs of a Ranfurly Shield hangover and some inexperience in their ranks after coach Colin Cooper rested most of his starting XV. They did muster a first half fightback after finding themselves down 24-0, however their hopes faded rapidly after the break as Harbour took control.
Tries by Matt Duffie, James Parsons, Matt Vaega and two more by Li ended the game as contest and Taranaki are far from the table-topping force they've been in recent weeks when they decide to switch off the intensity.
Li's heroics mean he's now scored 12 tries in the competition and is the first time a player has crossed for five tries since Waikato and former All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu did so in 2004.
The result now means Harbour face a daunting trip to Christchurch next weekend to face Canterbury in one semi final, while Taranaki take on Tasman in New Plymouth.
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Latest Comments
Agreed. A very good comparison. On the day they can beat anyone.
You can never be sure which team is pitching up until the whistle blows.
I think Contemponi is a fabulous coach.
Go to commentsUmm - really?
He goes on to say that they just need to deal with the Bok scrums, lineouts and territorial game. Those are not one or two little things ...
Besides, I suspect Tony Brown would like to see his new attacking philosophy clicking against Wales. That involves a lot more than set pieces and kicking. And Gatland might want to be ready for it.
For me the big question is whether the Boks retain their shape and intensity, regardless of the scoreline. If they do that then it could be a cricket score.
But there have been times this year when we have seen them get into a kind of error strewn, shelter shelter, hot potato mode on attack. Hope we don't see that, because it is silly and ineffective. Also boring.
I would love to see the new Bok plan in full flight. But, sadly, my expectation is that we will be another England-like post-game interview, with Rassie "taking the win" but declaring that they did not play the way they intended to.
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