A pair of late penalties from Stephen Perofeta has ensured Taranaki will advance to the final of this year's National Provincial Championship after a thrilling, physical clash with Canterbury this evening.
A try from Rameka Poihipi midway through the second half saw Canterbury claw back to within one point of Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium before Perofeta iced two kicks in the final six minutes to help his side to a 23-16 win.
It capped another tight, physical contest in this year's provincial competition with Josh Jacomb and Alex Harford trading penalties as though it were Test rugby.
In fact, it was Harford's boot that kept Canterbury in the match in the first half as he slotted his third penalty of the evening just before halftime to make it an 11-9 scoreline in favour of the hosts.
Taranaki's lead was forged off an Adam Lennox try in the 15th minute as they made good on a break from Bradley Slater against a gutsy Canterbury defence.
The southerners were forced to play defence for much of the half with Taranaki dominating in territory and possession but struggling to find holes besides Slater's rare streak.
A pair of penalties by Jacomb after the break pushed the lead out to 17-9 before Canterbury responded via Poihipi, setting up a tense finish for loyal fans in attendance.
The two sides continued to wrestle for control before Taranaki's pack made the crucial play, earning a scrum penalty after multiple collapses.
Perofeta stepped up and slotted the penalty with ease before moments later a second penalty against a now-desperate Canterbury at a ruck allowed him to deliver the final blow from 45 metres out.
The win means Taranaki will now play the winner of tomorrow night's second semi-final between Wellington and Hawke's Bay - a rivalry ignited by the recent Ranfurly Shield drama - in next week's final.
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