Typical Harbour performance, having a side that on paper had more flair and attacking ability than their opponents but doing stupid things at crucial times. No disrespect meant, but if they can't beat the likes of Taranaki then how do they expect to make the quarter finals? One hopes that a repeat of last year where they failed to make the top eight is not on the cards again but if they continue taking penalties with nine minutes to go with two scores of MORE than three points required to win....
Credit to the Naki though, a clinical display to grab a ten point half time lead, and had Perez's second half try been given (another very debatable call from the TMO, though I agreed with the decision), Taranaki could've been almost 20 points ahead. I have a feeling they could get handed some reasonably heavy defeats by the big guns, though their defence was excellent tonight and they scored some very good tries.
As for the other match, I wasn't surprised to see Hawkes Bay run out of gas against Wellington. Without seeing Auckland and Canterbury play, I reckon Wellington are a definite chance of taking out the title this year. Was hoping the Lions didn't score that final try though from an aweful attempted clearance from the Magpies as that robbed me of half a point in the tipping competition. It'll be interesting to see how Hawkes Bay respond, they have Northland at home next week and I doubt the visitors will be pushovers.
