Counties Manukau

5 - 20

Full Time

Taranaki Bulls

Counties Manukau vs Taranaki Bulls

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Marcus Playle has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Vereniki Tikoisolomone comes on.

77'

Adam Lennox comes off.

77'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Rocky Olsen getting some game time.

73'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Sam Clarke being replaced.

73'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Dane Johnston getting some game time.

73'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Marika Parker being replaced.

73'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with JJ Pokai getting some game time.

73'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Bradley Slater being replaced.

73'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Keightley Watson getting some game time.

72'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Jared Proffit being replaced.

72'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Gibson Popoali'i coming on.

69'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Tevita Ofa coming off.

69'

A gap opened in the defence and Sage Walters-Hansen took full advantage.

68'

A gap opened in the defence and Adam Lennox took full advantage.

67'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Larenz Tupaea-Thomsen coming on.

66'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Gibson Popoali'i coming off.

66'

Taranaki make a substitution with Haki Wiseman coming on.

66'

Taranaki make a substitution with Seta Tamanivalu coming off.

66'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Josiah Unga coming on.

65'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Blake Makiri coming off.

65'

Penalty Goal

The Taranaki supporters go wild as Sam Clarke successfully kicks the penalty goal.

65'

Counties Manukau sub Melani Matavao comes onto the field.

61'

Jonathan Taumateine departs for Counties Manukau.

61'

Counties Manukau sub Jonty Short comes onto the field.

61'

Cameron Church departs for Counties Manukau.

61'

Counties Manukau sub Alamanda Motuga comes onto the field.

61'

Veikoso Poloniati departs for Counties Manukau.

61'

Kurene Luamanuvae comes on for Counties Manukau.

58'

Atu Moli leaves the field.

58'

Ezekiel Lindenmuth comes on for Counties Manukau.

58'

Tom Polo leaves the field.

58'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Sam Clarke kicks the conversion.

57'

Try

A pinpoint kick has enabled Sam Clarke to score the try.

56'

What a run here by Sam Clarke as they get over the gainline!

56'

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens played a key part in that try.

56'

What a run here by Willem Ratu as they get over the gainline!

56'

Logan Crowley comes on for Taranaki.

55'

Vereniki Tikoisolomone leaves the field.

55'

What a run here by Aporosa Vuniyayawa as they get over the gainline!

53'

What a run here by Adam Brash as they get over the gainline!

51'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Sage Walters-Hansen getting some game time.

48'

Taranaki decide to make a substitution, with Michael Loft being replaced.

48'

The right post denies AJ Alatimu from adding the extras.

46'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Jimmy Tupou dots the ball down from close range.

45'

Taranaki make a substitution with Arese Poliko coming on.

44'

Taranaki make a substitution with Keightley Watson coming off.

44'

Taranaki make a substitution with Jayden Sa coming on.

42'

Taranaki make a substitution with Fiti Sa coming off.

42'

Aporosa Vuniyayawa makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

42'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Rico McQuoid coming on.

40'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Ian West-Stevens coming off.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

39'

Fabulous play by Counties Manukau has led to Gibson Popoali'i being able to wriggle through a gap.

38'

Taranaki sub Keightley Watson comes onto the field.

35'

Arese Poliko departs for Taranaki.

35'

Yellow Card

Marika Parker (Taranaki) is shown a yellow card

33'

Fabulous play by Counties Manukau has led to Adam Morrison being able to wriggle through a gap.

33'

Trouble here as Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens breaches the defence.

29'

Sam Clarke curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

26'

Try

Silky skills by Taranaki ends with a try for Adam Lennox.

25'

Trouble here as Adam Lennox breaches the defence.

25'

Michael Loft played a key part in that try.

25'

Sam Clarke will not be happy with that conversion attempt, as they had the direction but not the power.

16'

Try

A series of passes by Taranaki results in a try for Vereniki Tikoisolomone

15'

A gap opened in the defence and Vereniki Tikoisolomone took full advantage.

14'

Spellbinding play by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is finished off with a try.

14'

A gap opened in the defence and Marika Parker took full advantage.

11'

A gap opened in the defence and Josh Gray took full advantage.

We are underway as the referee Marcus Playle blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Counties Manukau v Taranaki Bulls 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Sat 1st August 2026, 10:05am HKT 
  
 Navigation Homes Stadium 
  
 Marcus Playle

Points Flow Chart

Taranaki Bulls win +15

Time in lead

Mins in lead

% Of Game In Lead

84%

73%

Possession Last 10 min

27%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Clarke

65'

5 - 20

Clarke

57'

5 - 17

Clarke

56'

5 - 15

Tupou

5 - 10

45'

Half Time

Parker

33'

0 - 10

Lennox

25'

0 - 10

Tikoisolomone

15'

0 - 5

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

0.7

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.4

Entries

Attack Profile

Counties Manukau

Taranaki Bulls

More Less

Defence Profile

Counties Manukau

Taranaki Bulls

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

74%

66%

3-6 secs

22%

28%

6+ secs

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

58'

63'

71'

75'

78'

Counties Manukau

Taranaki Bulls

Counties Manukau vs Taranaki Bulls Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Counties Manukau face off against Taranaki Bulls in Hilux NPC Round 1 on Sat 1st August 2026 at Navigation Homes Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 03:05. In South Africa it’s at 04:05 SAST, 14:05 NZST on TVNZ+ in New Zealand, 12:05 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 19:05 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

Taranaki Bulls won the last encounter but Taranaki Bulls are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Counties Manukau vs Taranaki Bulls Squads

The official squads for Counties Manukau vs Taranaki Bulls will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.