Waikato take Ranfurly Shield from Taranaki
- Dave Worsley
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A couple of ex All Blacks have helped Waikato to a one-point win over Taranaki in New Plymouth to take the Ranfurly Shield.
A late Lima Sopoaga penalty goal clinched a thrilling 23-22 Ranfurly Shield challenge.
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The 34-year-old Sopoaga had the ball fall off the tee with 10 seconds on the referee's shot clock.
The former All Black managed to reset the ball and calmly stroke it through the posts from 32 metres out.
From the ensuing kick off the ball was secured and put into touch to give Waikato the win and the start of their first Shield tenure since 2018 with Southland challenging next weekend.
Taranaki led 5-3 at the break. with former All Black Aaron Cruden kicking penalty goal to the challengers, but Taranaki answered back with a slick try to wing Josh Setu.
After the break Taranaki halfback Logan Crowley scored after a minute of the restart, before Cruden banged over another penalty.
Replacement back Obey Samate then scored a rather dubious try for Taranaki after some messy play in midfield, however the TMO check saw it awarded and the holders take a 19-6 lead.
It lloked like Taranaki were secured a win until Waikato looseforward- wing Oli Mathis was then denied twice by some brilliant defence.
Eventually lock Dylan Eti took a deflection and scored before halfback Xavier Roe spotted a gap in the Taranaki defence near the ruck to scoot 30 metres to go under the posts, which drew them within a kick of the lead after Sopoaga slotted the conversion.
In a furious last 10 minutes where both sides ran themselves ragged in attack and defence and Taranki gave away penalties a ruck infringement gave Sopoaga his moment of glory, one that will stand prominently in modern Shield lore.
Waikato 23 (Dylan Eti, Xavier Roe tries; Aaron Cruden 2 pens, Lima Sopoaga 2 cons, pen)
Taranaki 22 (Josh Setu, Logan Crowley, Obey Samate tries; Josh Jacomb 2 cons, pen)