What a great passage of play as Auckland break down the left hand touch line, kick it ahead and regain it. Taranaki rip the ball out in contact and counter through Ngatai. High paced game and it is end to end running

Strong scrum by Auckland but Taranaki come away with it under immense pressure

Great hands by McKenzie early on as he has to stretch for a ball from Gibson-Park. He will be hoping for better service during the course of the game

Saili receives the kick off and smashes his way into the oncoming Taranaki defence. Anscombe kicks it clear

The sides are out and the weather is not too bad. Brisk breeze and partly cloudy on this chilly evening. All is set for some great running rugby as Taranaki sits 2 places and 7 points ahead of Auckland on the table

Welcome to Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth as Auckland travel to Taranaki for this Friday evening ITM Cup clash.