Ricky Riccitelli has enhanced the case the 2024 National Provincial Championship (NPC) is the Year of the Hooker.
The Taranaki rake scored four tries, two in each half, as the Bulls survived for a 31-25 victory over North Harbour at New Plymouth's Yarrows Stadium on Wednesday night to complete Round 7.
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The bonus-point win lifted Taranaki to third on 30 points, joining the competition-leading Wellington Lions and undefeated Tasman Mako in securing quarterfinal berths with two rounds remaining.
With rolling mauls becoming increasingly unstoppable from close-range, Riccitelli scored all four times from the 5m lineout set-piece. Even halfback Logan Crowley's try came via the same method.
In a first half that featured three lead changes, Harbour wing Tima Fainga'anuku opened the scoring in the seventh minute, after Taranaki flanker Michael Loft was sin-binned for a ruck infringement.
Riccitelli scored in the 13th and 19th minutes to take a 14-5 lead, but Harbour answered through Moses Leo scored and Tane Edmed booted two penalties to go up 18-14. Harbour prop Ben Ruzich was yellow-carded, before Crowley sent the Bulls into the sheds with a 21-18 lead.
The hosts took their time but eventually put away Harbour, with Riccitelli going over in the 43rd and 70th minutes, his fourth coming after replacment Harbour hooker Shilo Klein was yellow-carded for dragging down a maul.
In Round 8, Taranaki host last-placed Manawatu on Sunday (kick-off 4.35pm), while Harbour welcome Canterbury to Albany Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 2.05pm) as they cling to their playoffs hopes.
Taranaki 31 (Ricky Riccitelli 4, Logan Crowley tries; Josh Jacomb 3 con) North Harbour 25 (Tima Fainga'anuku, Moses Leo, Tane Edmed tries; Tane Edmed 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 21-18
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