Taranaki will host Hawke’s Bay in what is perhaps an unlikely NPC final.
Some pundits may have been predicting a repeat of last year’s final.
But instead of Wellington and Canterbury going at it again, they were both knocked out in their respective semifinals.
Hawke’s Bay, who have made some new enemies this season after breaking the Ranfurly Shield, edged competition front-runner Wellington 25-24 at Sky Stadium on Saturday night.
Midfielder Chase Tiatia scored a hat-trick to help set up the win.
The Magpies had two late setbacks, with Marino Mikaele Tu’u and Brad Weber ruled out prior to kickoff. But they dominated the opening 40 minutes and led 18-3 at the break.
The Lions scored earlier in the second but Tiatia barged over for his third to more or less put the game out of reach.
Riley Higgins scored a late consolation for Wellington to prune the margin of defeat.
Taranaki beat Canterbury 23-16 in New Plymouth on Friday night.
They dominated the game for most of the match but struggled to put the visitors away.
They were sound defensively and that created the platform for their victory.
Rookie first five Josh Jacomb shone. He slotted 12 points and carried the ball for 125m.He also punched out a 50/22 with his big left boot in an impressive 65-minute shift.
— Staff reporter
