Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Photo: Aaron Gillions/ActionPress
After a contest that won't go down as one of the greatest ever played, the Ranfurly Shield will stay in Taranaki, after their 23-3 win over Northland.
The holders outscored the challengers three tries to none, but really should've won by a lot more, given the territorial advantage they enjoyed in the second half.
All they had to show for it was one try to halfback Adam Lennox and a penalty goal to Josh Jacomb, which was good reward for the hardworking inside back duo.
However, they will want to have a word with their forwards - not because they weren't provided with good quality ball, more that the pack wasted several opportunities off lineout drives close to the line.
The game definitely felt like a first proper hitout for both sides, with defence strong, but neither really clicking on attack consistently.
Right winger Vereniki Tikoisolomone certainly benefitted on one of the times Taranaki got it right, strolling over, after some great lead-up work to open the scoring. Playing in his 50th game for Taranaki, Fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens had a hand in that one, but really showed his class 10 minutes later, when he fielded a poor clearing kick.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who must surely be at least in the thinking for the All Blacks this season and was Taranaki's best player on the park, cut through the line and set up Jacomb to score. To Northland's credit, they fought back and created opportunities themselves, unlucky not to get a try before the break.
However, they just couldn't get anything going in the second half. Jacomb's kicking kept Taranaki camped out in the Northland half and, by the end, it was just a case of holding firm and waiting for the final whistle to come.
Taranaki don't put the Shield on the line for another three weeks, but it will be worth the wait, as they host in-form Waikato back at Yarrow Stadium. Northland host fellow first round losers Southland next Friday night.
Read how the game unfolded here:
