Taranaki players celebrate with Michael Loft his try during the NPC Rugby game Tasman v Taranaki. Trafalgar Park, Nelson, 6 October 2024. ©Copyright Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
Taranaki have beaten Tasman 42-29 in Nelson and won rugby's coveted Ranfurly shield in the process
Taranaki will get to lock the shield away for the rest of the season and have a chance to complete the ultimate double.
With Sunday's win, Taranaki are second on the NPC ladder and will meet Waikato in the quarter-finals, which have all been finalised.
Top of the table Wellington will play Counties-Manukau, Bay of Plenty will play Hawke's Bay, and Tasman will meet Canterbury.
In their last four Ranfurly Shield challenges, Taranaki have won it three times and had the upper hand from the get-go today.
Taranaki scored two tries in the first half through Daniel Rona and Michael Loft, before Tasman player Jack Gray scored the third try of the match.
But Taranaki first-five Josh Jacomb did a lot of damage with the boot, converting all tries and penalties in the first half to lead his side 23-8 at half-time.
Tim Sail then scored a try early in the second half for Tasman.
Taranaki then replied with two quick tries through Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, and Rona.
Tasman player Ryan Coxon then scored before All Black David Havili converted his own try.
Suddenly Tasman were trailing 35-29 - just a converted try away from a win but every time it looked like they were getting close, Taranaki had an answer.
That answer was a try through Adam Lennox, and another conversion from Jacomb, putting it out of reach.