Manawatu have had some success lately but often lose to Taranaki in the NPC. Taranaki have won back-to-back fixtures and are on a lengthy winning streak against Manawatu.
Key Stats - Taranaki Showing Form
- Taranaki have won 2 of their last 3 fixtures.
- Taranaki have won 10 consecutive matches against Manawatu.
- Manawatu have lost 3 of their last 5 home games.
- Manawatu have lost 4 consecutive home matches to Taranaki.
Dominant Taranaki
Taranaki have a commanding lead over Manawatu, with 11 victories to two in 13 meetings in the National Provincial Championship.
Manawatu Off a Solid Win
The Manawatu Turbos had no answer in the first half against Bay of Plenty last weekend, going into the break trailing 12-0.
However, Manawatu were outstanding in the second half, scoring four tries, three conversions and a penalty to register a 29-12 away win over Bay of Plenty.
Earlier in the NPC campaign, the Turbos lost 40-14 to Northland away from home, edged Southland 36-35 at home and lost 29-27 to Otago at home and 59-77 to Hawke's Bay away from home before beating North Harbour 43-40 at home.
Manawatu are 10th in the National Provincial Championship standings with 16 points after six games.
Manawatu will be happy to have ended their poor run of form on the road in their previous fixture but they face one of their bogey teams in the league, having suffered ten consecutive defeats to Taranaki.
Taranaki Flying in Last Two Weeks
Taranaki scored two converted tries in the first half against Auckland last weekend to lead 14-7 at half-time.
The Bulls added two converted tries to their tally in the second stanza to secure a 28-12 home victory against Auckland.
Before that result, Taranaki defeated Counties Manukau 20-5 away from home and lost 38-32 at home to Waikato, 42-0 to Northland, and 28-24 to Bay of Plenty away from home before defeating Canterbury at home.
The Taranaki Bulls are 8th in the National Provincial Championship table with 18 points after six rounds.
Taranaki have found some form lately and will fancy their chances of securing all the points when taking on Manawatu away from home, having defeated their hosts four consecutive times in their backyard.
Team News
Manawatu Turbos
Mosese Bason, Joseph Gavigan, Feleti Sae-Taʻufoʻou, and Rory Woods scored a try each against Bay of Plenty last weekend.
Reece MacDonald landed two conversions and a penalty in the match, while George Worboys kicked over a conversion.
The team for the Turbos will be added once it has been announced.
Taranaki Bulls
JJ Pokai scored a brace against Auckland last weekend.
Scott Jury and Kini Naholo contributed a try each.
Sam Clarke slotted three conversions in the match, while Jamie Viljoen kicked over a conversion.
The team for Taranaki will be added once it has been announced.