Tasman and Taranaki's reputation for thrilling games in recent years continued in their semifinal clash at Yarrow Stadium. The two premiership sides have forged that reputation based largely on their desire to play positive rugby.
In the end it was a mountain too high to climb for the home team with Tasman got through in the 10-try thriller winning 41-29. Marty Banks, who largely stayed calm in front of goal while opposite Marty McKenzie could not find the accuracy he had shown for most of the season, proved a pivotal figure as he finished with 21 points.