Taranaki to make the most of it

Taranaki: Surprise quarter-finalists

Taranaki are planning to make their participation in the play-offs count, after originally expecting to miss the quarter-finals of the Air New Zealand Cup.

The Taranaki squad had prepared themselves for an end-of-season court session this week - but instead got out of jail when a penalty by Northland replacement Ash Moeke after the hooter eliminated defending champions Auckland from the quarter-finals.

Taranaki captain Tony Penn watched the drama unfold in New Plymouth and joked he owed Northland scrum-half James Rodley a crate for signalling a kick at the posts at Eden Park.

Everyone else was for kicking the ball into touch, an outcome that would have retained Auckland's all important losing bonus-point.

Instead Moeke raised the flags and suddenly the Sunday morning training session seemed worthwhile.

"We had a run before the Auckland game but with no expectation we'd be playing this week," Penn told NZPA.

"When Tasman got five points off Manawatu we thought that was it."

The Taranaki veteran thought his team had blown their chance after squandering a 21-point lead against Waikato but the two points they earned in Hamilton was enough for eighth - and a daunting trip to Wellington for their first encounter with the competition's benchmark since last year.

Taranaki do not have have an impressive record in the capital, they have not beaten Wellington since 2003 and Penn was taking no comfort from the top qualifier's apparent dip in form.

"I don't think we can read anything into Otago (Wellington lost 21-36 in Carisbrook last Saturday). They were already in and had a lot of players out," said Penn.

"We're just delighted to get the opportunity to have a crack at them."

Wellington coach Jamie Joseph predictably recalled the bevvy of stars spared Otago's campaign finale, with Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu starting in a back-line that was running amok before Tasman thwarted their momentum when the Ranfurly Shield was at stake.

Taranaki conjured up some scintillating play themselves in Hamilton, running in some classic tries - though their defence was found dangerously porous and will need to be tightened at Westpac Stadium.

The underdogs have made an injury enforced change with Welsh centre Jonathan Spratt ruled out with a back problem. He is replaced by Nathan Hohaia.

Otherwise Taranaki have a settled side complemented with a characteristically rugged pack featuring former All Black Jason Eaton and first choice hooker Andrew Hore.

Up front is one area where Wellington will have to sharpen up after Adam Thomson and Craig Newby dominated the breakdown down south.

Fortunately Joseph has the luxury of using Rodney So'oialo off the bench - a more than adequate replacement for Victor Vito's whose season may be curtailed by a knee injury.

Neemia Tialata was also ruled out with a swollen knee but Penn doubted it would blunt the front row's effectiveness.

"Neemia's a great player but Tim has been around for a while, he's played a lot of Super 14."

Joseph said Tialata, who was sidelined early against Otago, could not be risked.

"He wanted a couple more days but we've got some quality players and we are showing confidence in those guys," he said.

Though favourites, Joseph was expecting a tough challenge from Taranaki.

"Indirectly it's a Hurricanes trial for a lot of the guys," said the Lions coach.

"They know each other because they play in the Hurricanes and so it's a bit like tribal games of rugby, or inter-dorms when you're at high school," he said.