Late Jordie Barrett penalty seals Taranaki Ranfurly Shield victory over Canterbury
The Ranfurly Shield is returning to Taranaki for the first time in two years.
In a result that replicates the 55-43 Shield victory over Canterbury in 2017, the men in amber and black returned to Christchurch to snatch the Log O’ Wood back off the provincial juggernauts in exhilarating fashion.
Both team’s playmaker’s, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett, stole the headlines leading into this clash, but it was the boot of Barrett’s younger brother Jordie, playing against his former side, that won the match late on in the piece.
It was Jordie who opened the scoring inside the first few minutes, as he slotted a penalty that stemmed from an infringement by Josh McKay, who is still on the search for a Super Rugby contract after his three-year deal with the Highlanders recently expired.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to extend their lead, as in-form flanker Lachlan Boshier continued to put his hand up for a place in the All Blacks by slipping through a tackle to put Canterbury on the back foot.
His pass found the boot of young wing Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, and the All Blacks Sevens teenager had enough composure to toe the ball ahead and score his first try at Mitre 10 Cup level.
Things went from bad to worse for Canterbury, as Barrett scooped up a Richie Mo’unga knock on to canter into the opposition 22 before slinging away an offload to All Blacks newbie Tupou Vaa’i, who scored his third try in under a week.
Down 13-0 inside the opening 10 minutes, the hosts needed to be the next team to strike, and they did so through the boot of Mo’unga from right out in front of the posts.
That counted for little, though, as the ball-running brilliance of Beauden Barrett edged Taranaki further in front.
Slicing the Canterbury defence in broken play, the 83-test All Blacks playmaker gassed prop Oli Jager and lock Luke Romano to eat up about 30 metres before firing a pass away to Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who had enough about him to round Mo’unga and run in under the bar for his second try.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQyCGBAnO7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Desperate to cut into the 17-point deficit before half-time, Canterbury twice squandered good field position handed to them thanks to a multitude of penalties conceded by Taranaki.
Joe Moody was unable to get the better of his opposite Ben May from a scrum five metres from the opposition tryline, but a line break by Manasa Mataele looked to have made amends for his teammate’s error.
However, the forgotten Crusaders wing inexplicably coughed the ball up with the tryline begging, which was enough for Taranaki to head into the sheds with a 20-3 advantage.
It must have been a stern half-time team talk by co-head coach Reuben Thorne, as the hosts came out firing in the second half to put Taranaki under the pump right from the re-start.
The relentless start to the half paid dividends for Canterbury, with Jager crashing over from short range following a flurry of pick-and-gos to chew into the challengers’ lead.
An unsuccessful Jordie Barrett penalty let an opportunity to somewhat cancel Jager’s try out go begging, and Canterbury made sure they capitalised on the Hurricanes star’s let-off.
Having been overshadowed by Beauden Barrett’s playmaking skills in the lead-up to Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ second try, Mo’unga hit back with an easily-taken try from an attacking five metre scrum that came after a series of patient build-up play by the hosts.
Receiving a precise pass from Mitchell Drummond, the All Blacks star seared through the gaping Taranaki defensive line before converting his own try to make it a five-point game.
That began to swing the momentum in Canterbury’s favour, with a thumping hit on Beauden Barrett by young midfielder Isaiah Punivai evident of the home side’s desire to retain the Shield.
That changing of the guard eventually reaped the rewards that the Cantabrians were searching for.
For the second week running, #AllBlacks star Damian McKenzie has caught the eye in a Waikato jersey in his last provincial appearance before rejoining the national side.https://t.co/yn7pd2OVrF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 19, 2020
A slew of Taranaki penalties again let Canterbury back deep into their half, and a looping Drummond pass allowing All Blacks Sevens playmaker Andrew Knewstubb to score his maiden Mitre 10 Cup try.
Adopting a never say die attitude, Taranaki came back hard at the Shield holders after falling behind, and, in a moment of irony, it was a Canterbury penalty that gifted Jordie Barrett a golden chance to put the visitors back in front.
Lining the posts up from almost 50 metres out, Barrett made no mistake to hand his side a one-point advantage with little more than five minutes to play.
Lucky not to be a man down after an off-the-ball shoulder charge by Mitchell Dunshea was overlooked by the officials, Canterbury made one last burst for the line as the clock ticked closer and closer to expiration.
However, a sublime piece of defensive work at the breakdown by Boshier saw the ball pinched back onto the Taranaki side of the ruck.
With about 90 seconds left to play, that was all the visitors needed to win the Ranfurly Shield, and Beauden Barrett had the honour of booting the ball out of play to inspire scenes of jubilation upon the full-time whistle.
Taranaki 23 (Tries to Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (2), Tupou Vaa’i; conversion and 2 penalties to Jordie Barrett)
Canterbury 22 (Tries to Oli Jager, Richie Mo’unga and Andrew Knewstubb; conversion and penalty to Mo’unga)
H/T: 20-3
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments