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Masanori Udagawa / Getty Images
Rivez Reihana’s first five-eighth replacement was instrumental in Waikato’s win over Taranaki in Hamilton on Sunday.
Waikato has bagged two silverware and has its eyes firmly on another, after rising to the top of the Miter 10 Cup Premier League standings with an impressive 27-20 win over Taranaki in Hamilton on Sunday.
Mooloo’s men overcame a narrow deficit at the three-quarter mark to draw inspiration from their victory at FMG Stadium Waikato by replacing Rivez Reihana’s first five-eighths, before having to endure a Taranaki dive after the siren .
A week after kicking the winning conversion against Canterbury in Christchurch, 20-year-old Reihana was injected by Fletcher Smith in the middle of the second spell and played a great hand on both of the hosts’ attempts in six minutes – she scored one and set up a Liam Messam. for the other.
Masanori Udagawa / Getty Images
Liam Messam scored a late try to help seal the Mooloos victory.
Although the energetic visiting team fought back through Daniel Rona with 10 minutes to go, Bradley Slater was unable to retain a pass from Lachlan Boshier to force a miraculous draw for the team that remains in fourth place in the Championship division.
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Reihana’s good choice got Waikato into the correct areas of the park at the end of the piece and closed another important victory.
They are now 6-1 and, after being in fourth place at the start of their match, they now hold a two point lead over Tasman and Auckland at the top of the Premiership standings.
Masanori Udagawa / Getty Images
Waikato fullback Beaudein Waaka was one of the Mooloos’ tryscorers in their win over Taranaki.
Beating Taranaki also saw them defend the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy, which is contested between the two unions, and win the Chiefs Country Cup, contested by all four Chiefs unions in competition.
A game that was routine for the most part, thanks to a high penalty count and several unforced errors in the hot and humid conditions, came to life with four attempts in 15 minutes midway through the second period.
Waikato had taken an early lead, and then a 13-10 lead at halftime, after overcoming the loss of prominent captain Luke Jacobson to a controversial sin fight.
They opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Smith’s beautiful cut ball put fullback Beaudein Waaka in the right corner. And despite a prolonged period of pressure on the Waikato line, it took Taranaki up to half an hour to strike back, as the visitors ate a kick from Liam Coombes-Fabling and went on the counter attack, with winger Jacob Ratumaitavuki- Kneepkens slipping into the right corner.
Masanori Udagawa / Getty Images
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens scored a double for Taranaki against Waikato.
It was double bad news for the Mooloos though, as TMO Aaron Paterson caught the attention of referee Angus Mabey and a hard yellow card shook Jacobson’s way, for a hit to Ricky Riccitelli that was deemed late and unused. weapons.
Fortunately for the hosts, it didn’t cost them on the scoreboard, and it was actually three points for the good with their pattern in the bin, eventually capitalizing on poor discipline from Taranaki, with Smith missing his second shot from the front. in the day, but then he nails a harder one after the horn, to give him a three-point shock at half-time.
While the third quarter was uneventful, Taranaki took the lead in the 58th minute thanks to a win by Mitchell Crosswell, which turned into an upward gallop and a Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens double.
But Waikato struck back just three minutes later, with an inspired charge from Jacobson, who ripped through Crosswell and defended himself against Naki’s captain, Mitchell Brown, then found Reihana on his shoulder to run and finish.
And it was that man Reihana just five minutes later who produced the most magic, with a beautiful step from 15 meters and a pop pass for Messam to score next to the sticks.
Take a look
Waikato 27 (Beaudein Waaka, Luke Jacobson, Liam Messam tries; Fletcher Smith scam, 2 pens, Rivez Reihana 2 scam) Taranaki 20 (Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 2, Daniel Rona tries; Jayson Potroz with, pen). HT: 13-10.
MVP Points: Luke Jacobson 3, Rivez Reihana 2, Beaudein Waaka 1.
