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Hawke’s Bay will enter next week’s Championship final against Northland as warm favorites after they brought down a depleted Taranaki 59-23 on Saturday.
The inspired captain Ash Dixon caught three attempts in a dominating performance as the magpies withstood initial pressure from Taranaki and then returned to class, proving to be lethal on loose balls.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Hawke’s Bay’s Ash Dixon celebrates a try against Taranaki at McLean Park on Saturday.
The star of the show, however, was Hawke’s Bay runner Folau Fakatava.
Fakatava seemed to cover almost every blade of grass at McLean Park and organized his pack excellently, frequently finding the right running back with passing game that improves in variety with each season.
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He capped off a superb performance with a 70-meter try in the 53rd minute after Dixon stole the ball off a Taranaki ruck.
Fakatava left the Taranaki Hunters in their dust with a burst of acceleration to push the score to 45-11 and give the Magpies a serious boost for next weekend’s home final against Taniwha.
Dixon, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Jonah Lowe and locks Tom Parsons and Geoff Cridge were also excellent for the Magpies, whose mix of grunt and flair was highlighted by Dixon’s third attempt in the 61st minute.
The ball went through several pairs of hands after a brilliant break from Mikaele-Tu’u on the outside, and Dixon was in the right place to receive the five points.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Magpies runner Folau Fakatava celebrates a try during the Miter 10 Cup semifinal against Taranaki in Napier.
The hooker and Fakatava were replaced after that marker with a standing ovation as the Magpies took the opportunity to keep them fresh for the final.
In front of a healthy crowd at McLean Park thanks to the Hawke’s Bay union’s free entry initiative, both sides showed an early desire to move the ball in good condition.
Number 10 rivals Caleb Makene and Stephen Perofeta provoked their attacks with their running and passing games, while the talented youngster of the Bulls Jacob Raumaitayuki-Kneepkens was also featured.
However, Taranaki’s scrum had the early lead and fullback Jayson Potroz took two penalties in the first 20 minutes to give them a 6-0 lead.
The first attempt of the game was for the locals. After a loud maul, running back Fakatava hit Cridge with a flat pass reminiscent of an Aaron Smith delivery and the big block collapsed.
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Hawke’s Bay loose forward Marino Mikaele-Tu’u throws himself to the front at McLean Park on Saturday.
Taranaki responded minutes later with a five-point shot through Lukas Halls, but Fakatava did not refuse.
With Makene out of the paddock injured, replaced by Lincoln McClutchie, Fakatava took over the game and placed mighty No. 7 Solomone Funaki close to the line.
Fakatava caused Taranaki endless trouble, constantly asking questions of defenders near the ruck with her running and passing play.
At just 20 years old, Fakatava is already in her third year of the Miter 10 Cup and surely should be given more chances in the Highlanders next year behind All Blacks starter Smith.
With Fakatava ablaze, the Magpies’ forwards went up some gears and struck twice more in the 10 minutes before halftime.
First, prop Pouri Rakete-Stones showed some real gas to take a kick from Stacey Ili to launch.
Then Captain Dixon picked up his usual attempt at a driving maul when Taranaki paid the price for poor discipline.
That gave the Magpies a 28-11 lead to take it into halftime and they were far from finished.
Replacement running back Connor McLeod finished off another brilliant attempt by the team in the fourth quarter, though a late surge from Taranaki added a touch of respectability to the scoreboard.
Hawke’s bay 59 (Geoff Cridge. Solomone Funaki, Dark Rakete-Stones, Ash Dixon (3), Folau Fakatava, Connor McLeod tries, Caleb Makene with, Lincoln McClutchie 7 cons, pen) Taranaki 23 (Lukas Halls, Ricky Riccitelli, Donald Brighouse tries, Jayson Potroz scam, 2 pens). HT: 28-11
