Taranaki Bulls

22 - 23

Full Time

Waikato

Taranaki Bulls vs Waikato

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

The 80 minutes is up! The referee has blown their whistle to end the second half.

81'

Penalty Goal

Lima Sopoaga makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

81'

The opposition have charged down Lima Sopoaga drop goal attempt!

79'

This is dangerous for the defence as Oli Mathis bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

78'

Sean Ralph comes on.

78'

Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia comes off.

78'

Leone Nawai comes on.

77'

Michael Loft comes off.

77'

A gap opened in the defence and Daniel Rona took full advantage.

72'

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

70'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Jayden Sa being replaced.

70'

Conversion

Lima Sopoaga has kicked a conversion.

70'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Xavier Roe leads to a try for Waikato

69'

A gap opened in the defence and Xavier Roe took full advantage.

69'

Taranaki make a substitution with Sage Walters-Hansen coming on.

67'

Taranaki make a substitution with Arese Poliko coming off.

67'

Taranaki make a substitution with Perry Lawrence coming on.

67'

Taranaki make a substitution with Jared Proffit coming off.

67'

Waikato make a substitution with Tepaea Cook-Savage coming on.

65'

Waikato make a substitution with Mitchell Jacobson coming off.

65'

Taranaki make a substitution with Scott Jury coming on.

65'

Taranaki make a substitution with Jesse Parete coming off.

65'

Taranaki sub Keightley Watson comes onto the field.

63'

Mitch O'Neill departs for Taranaki.

63'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Josh Jacomb kicks the penalty goal.

63'

Conversion

The Waikato supporters go wild as Lima Sopoaga successfully kicks the conversion.

60'

Try

Great hands by Waikato leads to a try for Dylan Eti

59'

Sefo Kautai comes on for Waikato.

56'

George Dyer leaves the field.

56'

Taipari Quinn comes on for Waikato.

56'

Mason Tupaea leaves the field.

56'

What a run here by Josh Jacomb as they get over the gainline!

55'

Lima Sopoaga comes on.

53'

Aaron Cruden comes off.

53'

Malachi Wrampling-Alec comes on.

50'

Xavier Saifoloi comes off.

50'

Senita Lauaki comes on.

50'

Jahrome Brown comes off.

50'

Conversion

Josh Jacomb adds the two points for Taranaki.

47'

Try

Nobody was going to stop Obey Samate from scoring that try!

46'

Obey Samate makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Obey Samate getting some game time.

45'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens being replaced.

45'

Penalty Goal

Aaron Cruden makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

45'

Conversion

Josh Jacomb adds the two points for Taranaki.

42'

Try

Incisive passing by Taranaki is finished off by Logan Crowley, as they goes over for the try.

41'

Adam Lennox played a key part in that try.

40'

Fabulous play by Taranaki has led to Josh Setu being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

41'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to Oli Mathis being able to wriggle through a gap.

41'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to Xavier Roe being able to wriggle through a gap.

38'

Fabulous play by Taranaki has led to Adam Lennox being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

Fabulous play by Taranaki has led to Jesse Parete being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

Josh Jacomb curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

24'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Taranaki is finished off by Josh Setu

23'

That's a great try assist by Daniel Rona.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Arese Poliko bursts through to advance the Taranaki attack.

22'

Penalty Goal

Aaron Cruden adds the points for Waikato.

20'

Yellow Card

Jesse Parete (Taranaki) is shown a yellow card

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Taranaki Bulls v Waikato 
  
 Round 4 
  
 Fri 22nd August 2025, 07:05pm PDT 
  
 Stadium Taranaki 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Angus Mabey

Points Flow Chart

Waikato win +1

Time in lead

Mins in lead

72%

% Of Game In Lead

27%

Possession Last 10 min

73%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Sopoaga

81'

22 - 23

Sopoaga

70'

22 - 20

Roe

69'

22 - 18

Jacomb

22 - 13

63'

Sopoaga

60'

19 - 13

Eti

59'

19 - 11

Jacomb

19 - 6

47'

Samate

17 - 6

46'

Cruden

45'

12 - 6

Jacomb

12 - 3

42'

Crowley

10 - 3

41'

Half Time

Setu

5 - 3

23'

Cruden

20'

0 - 3

Parete

0 - 0

Start

Win Probability

Taranaki Bulls

76%

Draw

Waikato

23%

Ruck-Won by Hamilton Burr

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.8

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.7

Entries

Attack Profile

Taranaki Bulls

Waikato

More Less

Defence Profile

Taranaki Bulls

Waikato

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

33%

44%

3-6 secs

64%

42%

6+ secs

14%

Rucks Won

100

Last 5 Penalties

66'

72'

74'

76'

79'

Taranaki Bulls

Waikato

Taranaki Bulls vs Waikato Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Taranaki Bulls face off against Waikato in Hilux NPC Round 4 on Fri 22nd August 2025 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 Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 12:05 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 19:05 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

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

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 2 places in the league table with Waikato in 5th and Taranaki Bulls in 7th 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.