1
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.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
The simple way to prove Boks also hold the 'unofficial world title'
3
Fissler Confidential: Radwan eyed to replace exit-bound England wing
4
'He was the one guy who truly kept Semi Radradra under wraps'
5
Latest Comments
Dickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
Go to comments