Waikato comeback clinches win

Waikato has made a massive comeback to win 45-41 over Taranaki in Hamilton in one of the most exciting games of the Air NZ Cup with both sides desperate for a win in the search of playing in the quarter-finals.

Waikato was exposed around the break-down once again and gifted Taranaki with some superb attacking opportunities in the first half that the visiting side made the most of.

The try scoring fest went mainly Taranaki's way in the first half as it led 28-14 at the break and continued to build on its lead in the second half.

Waikato showed its class and some real patience and put together a wonderful comeback with the winning try being scored just moments before the end of the game.

The returning All Blacks were very much in the action early on and it was Taranaki and All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore who picked up the first try of the evening after an interesting period of play that could have resulted in either team picking up the opening points.

Taranaki first five-eighths Willie Ripia kicked the extra two against his former team mates as the amber and blacks took the lead after five minutes of play.

Both sides were looking very dangerous and were willing to pass the ball around in a game that looked to be a tough and exciting encounter.

Taranaki would have picked up its second try in the 15th minute when wing Shayne Austin busted through the Waikato line and passed to his other wing Paul Perez who then threw a forward pass on the try line directly under referee Bryce Lawrence's nose.

Taranaki was on the front foot however and picked up an important try when second five-eighths Jayden Hayward stepped inside Waikato first five-eighths Stephen Donald and scored with Ripia slotting the extras.

The visitors scored again two plays later when Perez was passed a ball on the back of a great scrum and stepped inside to cross the line for Taranaki's third of the evening.

Waikato's All Blacks linked up moments later when centre Richard Kahui split the Taranaki line with ease before drawing a player and passing to fellow All Black Donald who scored the try.

Another Waikato All Black in wing Sitiveni Sivivatu set up the home sides second try when he stepped his way through Taranaki's defence before passing to wing Tim Mikkelson who danced along the try line before flicking an inside pass to skipper Liam Messam who scored.

A breakdown in Waikato's communication handed Taranaki a bonus point try when a cheeky chip kick was kicked into open spaces which fullback Jack Cameron easily collected and dotted down.

The try was a double-whammy of bad news for the home side as Donald was forced to leave the field after suffering an injury to his ribs after being involved in a heavy tackle.

Although Waikato went close it was not able to cross the line before the whistle spelt the end of an exciting first half.

Waikato struck first in the second half when Donald's replacement Callum Bruce nailed an easy three points from out in front of the sticks.

Taranaki was able to add three of its own however when it was awarded an easy penalty all the down the other end of the field.

Taranaki exposed some extremely weak Mooloo defence from the kick off and was able