Fiji-born Hurricanes winger Kiniviliame Naholo scored two tries for his Taranaki Bulls side in their 31-15 win over Counties Manukau in round 1 of New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.
Naholo started on the left wing and scored the first two tries of the match in the 10th and 32nd minutes of the game.
The 25-year-old was also deadly in attack running a total of 137 metres in 7 carries, beating 11 defenders and making 1 line break.
In defence, Naholo made 6 tackles without missing any and also included 2 dominant tackles.
Taranaki Bulls also had the services of three other Fijians in the likes of Highlanders fullback Jacob Kneepkens-Ratumaitavuki, Vereniki Tikoisolomone and Leone Nawai.
Ratumaitavuki was awarded the man-of-the-match award after a grand performance from him as well.
Ratumaitavuki ran a total of 161 metres in 22 carries, made 3 line breaks, 2 offloads, beat 4 defenders and made 3 try assists.
In defence, Ratumaitavuki made 6 tackles including 2 dominant tackles and missing 1.
Counties Manukau also had the services of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua hooker Zuriel Togiatama, Blues number 8 Hoskins Sotutu and Peniasi Malimali who started at wing.
In other NPC results, Wellington defeated Auckland 29-21, Canterbury beat Northland 34-21, Southland beat Otago 22-13 and Bay of Plenty beat Waikato 36-21.
In today’s NPC matches, North Harbour will take on Hawkes Bay at 2.05pm and Manawatu will host the Tasman Makos at 4.35pm.
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