Taranaki have blown past Manawatu 44-10 in an ITM Cup match in Palmerston North today.
Taranaki's dominance gave the impression the field was tilted with 15 amber and black barrels perpetually rolling towards the Manawatu goalline.
The sustained pressure resulted in five converted tries. Three - to wing James Ormond, No.8 Toa Halafihi and lock Blade Thomson - came through orthodox sweeping movements of draw and pass. The others - to Kurt Baker and captain Charlie Ngatai - rewarded straight running which punched through flimsy defence.
Ngatai offered stability in the midfield to launch a platform to either wing, while forwards such as Angus Ta'avao and Berny Hall, the ITM Cup's Ron Burgundy doppelganger, were robust.
In contrast, Manawatu were handicapped by a spate of handling errors and lineout inaccuracies, particularly in the first half. A lack of intensity was redressed in the second spell, beginning with a try to skipper Callum Gibbins, but it was too late.
Taranaki's win means the Premiership top four is complete with a week to spare. The defending champions will contest semi-final positions alongside Tasman, Canterbury and Auckland.
Manawatu (14 points) remain bottom of the division and face demotion if they lose to Wellington this week. They are also reliant on Waikato (16 points) losing their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke's Bay.
Taranaki 44 (J. Ormond, K. Baker, T. Halafihi, C. Ngatai, B. Thomson tries C.Rei 5 con, pen, L. McBride pen), Manawatu 10 (C. Gibbins try, O. Black con, pen). Halftime: 24-3.
