Swire Shipping Fijian Drua winger Taniela Rakuro has made a sensational debut for the Taranaki Bulls, scoring five tries in their 97-0 thrashing of Thames Valley in a pre-season Bunnings NPC match.
Rakuro becomes only the fourth player in Taranaki’s history to score five tries in a single match, joining elite company—Mark Robinson was the last to achieve the feat in 1997.
Rakuro started on the wing and scored two tries in the first half before running in three more tries in the second.
Taranaki dominated from the outset, leading 43-0 at halftime.
Meanwhile, Drua utility forward Joseva Tamani started at lock for Otago as they edged Southland 40-31 in Dunedin.
