Taranaki Bulls

32 - 38

Full Time

Waikato

Taranaki Bulls vs Waikato

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

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

80'

Penalty Goal

Rocky Olsen makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

80'

Seta Tamanivalu comes on.

77'

Logan Crowley comes off.

77'

Harry Hansen comes on.

77'

JJ Pokai comes off.

77'

Yellow Card

Austin Anderson (Waikato) is shown a yellow card

77'

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

77'

Rocky Olsen curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.

74'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Meihana Grindlay leads to a try for Taranaki

73'

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

73'

Rocky Olsen played a key part in that try.

73'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with JJ Pokai getting some game time.

72'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Harry Hansen being replaced.

72'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Taipari Quinn getting some game time.

72'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Mason Tupaea being replaced.

72'

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

71'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Aki Tuivailala getting some game time.

71'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Michael Naitokani being replaced.

71'

A gap opened in the defence and Waisake Salabiau took full advantage.

70'

Taranaki make a substitution with Rocky Olsen coming on.

69'

Taranaki make a substitution with Sam Clarke coming off.

69'

Conversion

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

67'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Sage Walters-Hansen leads to a try for Taranaki

67'

A gap opened in the defence and Sage Walters-Hansen took full advantage.

67'

Taranaki make a substitution with Harry Hansen coming on.

67'

Taranaki make a substitution with JJ Pokai coming off.

67'

Taranaki make a substitution with Dane Johnston coming on.

66'

Taranaki make a substitution with Marika Parker coming off.

66'

Waikato make a substitution with Christian MacEwan coming on.

66'

Waikato make a substitution with Mitch Jacobson coming off.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Daiki Nakajima goes through the gap.

64'

Waikato sub David Lewai comes onto the field.

63'

Nathan Stephens departs for Waikato.

63'

Waikato sub Andrew Smith comes onto the field.

60'

James Tucker departs for Waikato.

60'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Taha Kemara kicks the conversion.

59'

Try

Great hands by Waikato leads to a try for Michael Naitokani

59'

The defensive line has been broken as Michael Naitokani goes through the gap.

58'

Taha Kemara played a key part in that try.

58'

Scott Jury comes on.

53'

Jayden Sa comes off.

53'

What a run here by James Tucker as they get over the gainline!

53'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Daiki Nakajima getting some game time.

49'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Xavier Roe being replaced.

49'

Sam Clarke has hooked the conversion to the left of the posts.

49'

Try

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

48'

Logan Crowley sets up the try.

48'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Haki Wiseman getting some game time.

46'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Seta Tamanivalu being replaced.

46'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Logan Crowley getting some game time.

46'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Willem Ratu being replaced.

46'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia getting some game time.

46'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Sean Ralph being replaced.

46'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with George Dyer getting some game time.

46'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Sefo Kautai being replaced.

46'

Waikato go for goal with Taha Kemara taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

44'

Try

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

43'

Taranaki sub Keightley Watson comes onto the field.

40'

Jared Proffit departs for Taranaki.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

42'

Conversion

Taha Kemara does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

37'

Try

Incisive passing by Waikato is finished off by Waisake Salabiau, as they goes over for the try.

36'

That's a great try assist by Senita Lauaki.

36'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to Senita Lauaki being able to wriggle through a gap.

36'

Conversion

Taha Kemara does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

34'

Try

Incisive passing by Waikato is finished off by Austin Anderson, as they goes over for the try.

33'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to Austin Anderson being able to wriggle through a gap.

33'

Taha Kemara sets up the try.

33'

Conversion

Taha Kemara makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

29'

Try

Silky skills by Waikato ends with a try for Michael Naitokani.

28'

Trouble here as Michael Naitokani breaches the defence.

28'

Spellbinding play by Austin Anderson is finished off with a try.

28'

Conversion

Sam Clarke makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

26'

Try

Great forward play by Taranaki allows Jesse Parete to score the try.

25'

Taha Kemara takes the conversion but it hits the upright and bounces away, kick unsuccessful.

21'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Waikato is finished off by Waisake Salabiau

21'

This is dangerous for the defence as Waisake Salabiau bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

21'

That's a great try assist by Taha Kemara.

21'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Sage Walters-Hansen getting some game time.

20'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Kaylum Boshier being replaced.

20'

A gap opened in the defence and Dan Sinkinson took full advantage.

12'

Sam Clarke hits the left post with the conversion, failing to add the two points.

Try

Great hands by Taranaki leads to a try for Vereniki Tikoisolomone

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

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens sets up the try.

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

We are underway as the referee Stu Curran blows their whistle.

Watch

Taranaki v Waikato | NPC

www.rugbypass.tv

Match Details

  
 Taranaki Bulls v Waikato 
  
 Round 2 
  
 Fri 7th August 2026, 12:10am PDT 
  
 Stadium Taranaki 
  
 RugbyPass TV

Points Flow Chart

Waikato win +6

Time in lead

Mins in lead

27%

% Of Game In Lead

61%

78%

Possession Last 10 min

22%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Olsen

32 - 38

80'

Anderson

77'

29 - 38

Grindlay

29 - 38

73'

Clarke

24 - 38

67'

Walters-Hansen

22 - 38

67'

Kemara

59'

17 - 38

Naitokani

59'

17 - 36

Parete

17 - 31

48'

Tupaea

43'

12 - 31

Half Time

Kemara

37'

12 - 26

Salabiau

36'

12 - 24

Kemara

34'

12 - 19

Anderson

33'

12 - 17

Kemara

29'

12 - 12

Naitokani

28'

12 - 10

Clarke

12 - 5

26'

Parete

10 - 5

25'

Salabiau

21'

5 - 5

Tikoisolomone

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.2

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.9

Entries

Attack Profile

Taranaki Bulls

Waikato

More Less

Defence Profile

Taranaki Bulls

Waikato

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

57%

56%

3-6 secs

38%

35%

6+ secs

10%

105

Rucks Won

116

Last 5 Penalties

54'

62'

65'

77'

78'

Taranaki Bulls

Waikato

Taranaki Bulls vs Waikato Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Taranaki Bulls face off against Waikato in Hilux NPC Round 2 on Fri 7th August 2026 at Stadium Taranaki. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 08:10. In South Africa it’s at 09:10 SAST, 19:10 NZST on TVNZ+ in New Zealand, 17:10 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 00:10 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

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

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 3 places in the league table with Waikato in 5th and Taranaki Bulls in 8th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Taranaki Bulls vs Waikato Squads

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