Mitre 10 Highlights: Taranaki Vs Auckland

Unbelievable is the only word that can describe what has just happened in this Mitre Cup game! Auckland went up early by 12 points in the first 15 minute of the game and looked smooth sailing with some flaring backline hands and interplay. But then Taranaki came back through McKenzie who finishes off an awesome counter attack by the Taranaki winger. Later tries by both teams led to a 19-13 lead at halftime in favor of Auckland. The second half slowly but when it unleashed, it certainly did so! An early yellow card to Scott Scrafton meant the Auckland team would have to defend ferociously for the next 10 minutes, and that's exactly what they did! On their own line for the full 10 minutes, they looked to keep the Taranaki defense out but they eventually got through and scored to bring the scores closer. A yellow card to Taranaki later and a subsequent penalty try meant that Auckland would regain the lead with 10 minutes to go. Taranaki then kept on the pedal knowing they needed a try to keep a home semi final. The last 5 minutes they spent on the Auckland try line, receiving penalty after penalty for illegal sacking and eventually it paid off as form the scrum the number 8, Toa Halafihi picked and went for the line and got over with 4 players attempting to stop him but they were no match and he went over and won the game for Taranaki! The end score being 35-32!