Watch: Li scores five tries against Mitre 10 Cup leaders

Defense was at a premium today in Albany, where home side North Harbour handed Taranaki a 64-33 lesson in the final round of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Star of the show was Highlanders winger Tevita Li, who crossed for five tries including a first half hat trick. Only one of those could be described as easy, with the his last seeing him beat four defenders to score in the corner.

In all, Harbour scored nine tries in the rout that saw Taranaki clearly showing signs of a Ranfurly Shield hangover and some inexperience in their ranks after coach Colin Cooper rested most of his starting XV. They did muster a first half fightback after finding themselves down 24-0, however their hopes faded rapidly after the break as Harbour took control.

Tries by Matt Duffie, James Parsons, Matt Vaega and two more by Li ended the game as contest and Taranaki are far from the table-topping force they’ve been in recent weeks when they decide to switch off the intensity.

Li’s heroics mean he’s now scored 12 tries in the competition and is the first time a player has crossed for five tries since Waikato and former All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu did so in 2004.

The result now means Harbour face a daunting trip to Christchurch next weekend to face Canterbury in one semi final, while Taranaki take on Tasman in New Plymouth.