Taranaki Bulls

40 - 26

Full Time

Canterbury

Canterbury vs Taranaki Bulls

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Michael Winter has blown their whistle to end the game.

82'

Conversion

Andrew Knewstubb converts the try.

82'

Try

Great forward play by Canterbury allows Nick Hyde to score the try.

81'

Taranaki go for goal with Jamie Viljoen taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

79'

Try

Taranaki are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Willem Ratu picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Willem Ratu bursts through to advance the Taranaki attack.

78'

Spellbinding play by Michael Loft is finished off with a try.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens bursts through to advance the Taranaki attack.

77'

Seb Calder comes on.

76'

Jermaine Ainsley comes off.

76'

Andrew Knewstubb will not be happy with that conversion attempt, as they had the direction but not the power.

76'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Canterbury is finished off by Louie Chapman

75'

Liam Jack played a key part in that try.

75'

This is dangerous for the defence as Liam Jack bursts through to advance the Canterbury attack.

75'

A gap opened in the defence and Michael Loft took full advantage.

73'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Toby Bell getting some game time.

72'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Jone Rova being replaced.

72'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Liam Chapman getting some game time.

70'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Jesse Parete being replaced.

70'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Perry Lawrence getting some game time.

70'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Jared Proffit being replaced.

70'

Taranaki make a substitution with Jamie Viljoen coming on.

69'

Taranaki make a substitution with Sam Clarke coming off.

69'

A gap opened in the defence and James Cameron took full advantage.

69'

Conversion

The Taranaki supporters go wild as Sam Clarke successfully kicks the conversion.

67'

Try

The Taranaki pack has powered over for Zach Landon-Lane to score the try.

66'

Taranaki sub Willem Ratu comes onto the field.

64'

Seta Tamanivalu departs for Taranaki.

64'

Taranaki sub Zach Landon-Lane comes onto the field.

64'

JJ Pokai departs for Taranaki.

64'

Canterbury sub James Cameron comes onto the field.

61'

Toby Bell departs for Canterbury.

61'

Canterbury sub Phoenix Abbott comes onto the field.

61'

Corey Kellow departs for Canterbury.

61'

Sage Walters-Hansen comes on for Taranaki.

57'

Josefa Namosimalua leaves the field.

57'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Andrew Knewstubb kicks the conversion.

56'

Try

A penetrating move by Canterbury results in a try for Johnny McNicholl.

55'

That's a great try assist by Chay Fihaki.

55'

What a run here by Louie Chapman as they get over the gainline!

54'

What a run here by Johnny McNicholl as they get over the gainline!

53'

Xavier Treacy comes on.

52'

Tahlor Cahill comes off.

52'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Finlay Brewis getting some game time.

45'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Daniel Lienert-Brown being replaced.

45'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Louie Chapman getting some game time.

45'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Tyson Belworthy being replaced.

45'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Jermaine Ainsley getting some game time.

45'

Canterbury decide to make a substitution, with Seb Calder being replaced.

45'

Kini Naholo makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

Conversion

Sam Clarke adds the two points for Taranaki.

42'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Kaylum Boshier dots the ball down from close range.

41'

Fabulous play by Taranaki has led to Meihana Grindlay being able to wriggle through a gap.

41'

Fabulous play by Taranaki has led to Kaylum Boshier being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

Fabulous play by Taranaki has led to Meihana Grindlay being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

Canterbury make a substitution with Johnny McNicholl coming on.

40'

Canterbury make a substitution with Kurtis MacDonald coming off.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Fabulous play by Canterbury has led to Tyson Belworthy being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Conversion

Sam Clarke does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

33'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Josefa Namosimalua scores from close range.

32'

Quintony Ngatai comes on for Taranaki.

32'

Logan Crowley leaves the field.

32'

Yellow Card

Dominic Gardiner (Canterbury) is shown a yellow card

31'

Conversion

Sam Clarke makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

29'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Sam Clarke scores from close range.

27'

Trouble here as Josefa Namosimalua breaches the defence.

27'

Canterbury make a substitution with Nick Hyde coming on.

19'

Canterbury make a substitution with Manumaua Letiu coming off.

19'

This is dangerous for the defence as Isaac Hutchinson bursts through to advance the Canterbury attack.

17'

A gap opened in the defence and Meihana Grindlay took full advantage.

Marika Parker comes on for Taranaki.

Keightley Watson leaves the field.

Conversion

Andrew Knewstubb has kicked a conversion.

Try

The Canterbury pack has powered over for Manumaua Letiu to score the try.

Conversion

Sam Clarke has kicked a conversion.

Try

Taranaki are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Kaylum Boshier touching down.

Logan Crowley sets up the try.

The defensive line has been broken as Vereniki Tikoisolomone goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Michael Winter blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Taranaki Bulls v Canterbury 
  
 Round 5 
  
 Fri 28th August 2026, 07:05pm PDT 
  
 Stadium Taranaki 
  
 RugbyPass TV 
  
 Michael Winter

Points Flow Chart

Taranaki Bulls win +14

Time in lead

Mins in lead

74%

% Of Game In Lead

31%

Possession Last 10 min

69%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Knewstubb

82'

40 - 26

Hyde

81'

40 - 24

Ratu

40 - 19

78'

Chapman

75'

35 - 19

Clarke

35 - 14

67'

Landon-Lane

33 - 14

66'

Knewstubb

56'

28 - 14

McNicholl

55'

28 - 12

Clarke

28 - 7

42'

Boshier

26 - 7

41'

Half Time

Clarke

21 - 7

33'

Namosimalua

19 - 7

32'

Gardiner

31'

14 - 7

Clarke

14 - 7

29'

Clarke

12 - 7

27'

Knewstubb

7 - 7

Letiu

7 - 5

Clarke

7 - 0

Boshier

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.4

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.8

Entries

Attack Profile

Taranaki Bulls

Canterbury

More Less

Defence Profile

Taranaki Bulls

Canterbury

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

44%

54%

3-6 secs

49%

40%

6+ secs

Rucks Won

114

Last 5 Penalties

60'

64'

73'

74'

79'

Taranaki Bulls

Canterbury

Taranaki Bulls vs Canterbury Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Taranaki Bulls face off against Canterbury in Hilux NPC Round 5 on Fri 28th August 2026 at Stadium Taranaki. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 03:05. In South Africa it’s at 04:05 SAST, 14:05 NZST on TVNZ+ in New Zealand, 12:05 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 19:05 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

Taranaki Bulls won the last encounter but Canterbury are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 4 places in the league table with Canterbury in 5th and Taranaki Bulls in 9th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Taranaki Bulls vs Canterbury Squads

The official squads for Taranaki Bulls vs Canterbury will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.