Taranaki have extended their lead at the top of the NPC's Championship, winning a five-try thriller 30-23 against Otago in Dunedin.
With their fifth consecutive victory to start the 2021 NPC season, Taranaki added the scalp of their first victory against Otago since 2010, as the Bulls look to return to the Premiership in 2022.
The boot of fullback Stephen Perofeta opened the scoring for Taranaki, kicking two penalties before Josh Ioane pulled two back for Otago to level the match.
After half an hour, and with scores locked at 6-6, Taranaki was finally able to grab the first try of the game - as co-captain Teihorangi Walden crossed over. Walden's effort came after a clever show-and-go from first-five Jayson Potroz, that allowed the midfielder to score against his former side.
Walden's try saw Otago come to life, as the hosts hit back minutes later when Sio Tomkinson crossed over. Ioane's successful conversion saw both sides leave the field for halftime at 13-13.
A nasty injury to Taranaki lock Finn Hoeata saw Otago's Sam Fischli shown a yellow card, ruled by the referee to have taken the player out in the air at a lineout. And after surviving nine minutes with 14 men, Otago finally conceded with time almost up with Fischli in the bin.
Running from the back of a scrum, Pita Gus Sowakula restored Taranaki's lead with a solo effort that saw him run in and score under the posts, only for Dylan Nel to score from close range and level the scores again - this time at 20-all.
Perofeta and Ioane traded penalties again to see the scores at 23-23 in the final 10 minutes, with both sides desperately seeking the winning blow.
And that came from Taranaki. Another clever run from Potroz allowed the first five to send replacement halfback Liam Blyde in to score, and despite maintaining pressure until the final whistle, Otago couldn't equalise one last time.
The win sees Taranaki sit eight points clear at the top of the championship, ahead of Manawatu - albeit having played one game more.
Otago meanwhile sits fourth on the Championship ladder, with just one win and three defeats from their four matches played so far in 2021.
