Then came a huge call from referee Shane McDermott, who binned Taranaki wing Declan O'Donnell for a high shot on Melani Nanai and awarded a penalty try for Auckland to regain the lead. The former had his best game since winning the Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes. The latter's output, despite a yellow card, was indicative of the steelier attitude Auckland brought to the forward exchanges after a passive display against Tasman. Taranaki would not submit, and in centre Seta Tamanivalu, they had a potent attacker, who embarrassed Ioane the Younger on one occasion for his try. Taranaki 35 (Marty McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu, Rhys Marshall, Ben Matwijow, Toa Halafihi tries; McKenzie 2 con, 2 pen) Auckland 32 (Rieko Ioane 2, Melani Nanai tries, penalty try; Simon Hickey 3 con, 2 pen) HT: 19-13 Auckland- NZ Herald

Source: New Zealand Herald October 13, 2016 08:48 UTC