Canterbury's unbeaten start to the NPC season has come to an end, after being beaten by Taranaki at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth.
Canterbury struggled to capitalise on their opportunities, needing 70 minutes to score their first try, but it wasn't enough, losing 16-10 against a tenacious Taranaki side.
Taranaki fullback Stephen Perefota kicked 11 points, with their only try coming by the way of centre Daniel Rona in the first half.
The home team were up 16-0 until Canterbury struck twice in five minutes through winger George Bridge and replacement hooker George Bell.
But it was far too little, too late, as Taranaki recorded their first victory of the season, and condemned Canterbury to their first loss.
Meanwhile, there was another upset, with Northland downing Wellington 15-6 at Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua.
Tries from Rob Rush and Josh Moorby was enough for the unlikely victory, with the hosts held tryless and succumbing to their second straight defeat.
Taranaki 16 (Rona try; Perefeta 1x conversion, 3 penalties) beat Canterbury 10 (Bridge, Bell tries)
Northland 15 (Rush, Moorby tries; Rivez Reihana 1x conversion, 1x penalty) beat Wellington 6 (Garden-Bachop 2x penalties)
