Defending champions Taranaki have sent a warning to the rest of the National Provincial Championship (NPC).
Taranaki carved up Hawke's Bay at Napier's McLean Park on Friday night in a repeat of the 2023 NPC final to open Round 7, running in nine converted tries, with wing Kini Naholo scoring a hat-trick.
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The three tries by Naholo, plus another six from the remainder of his team contributed to a record nine for the Naki side
For Taranaki the win moves them up to fifth on the points table while the loss for Hawke's Bay was their third in a row.
The victory was the perfect way for Taranaki to start their 'Storm Week', with winnable matches coming at home against North Harbour on Wednesday (kick-off 7.05pm) and Manawatu next Sunday (kick-off 4.35pm), while the Magpies will look to end their losing streak at home against Auckland next Saturday (kick-off 2.05pm).
Taranaki 63 (Kini Naholo 3, Bradley Slater 2, Vereniki Tikoisolomone 2, Ricky Riccitelli, Adam Lennox tries; Josh Jacomb 6 con, Jayson Potroz con, Ethan Reti 2 con) Hawke's Bay 19 (Tom Parsons, Sam Smith, Lelani Faleiva tries; Lincoln McClutchie 2 con). HT: 28-12