Lions building head of steam
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:59
The Wellington Lions continued their dominant march in the Air New Zealand Cup by crushing challengers Bay of Plenty 48-12 at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.
The match was of course a top-of-the-table clash, and the Steamers travelled to Wellington with thoughts of reaching the top spot on the log standings.
But Wellington were in belligerent mood, and used the perfect weather conditions to their advantage to score seven sparkling tries and blow away the opposition.
Bay of Plenty did their bit though, as both teams were committed to run the ball and play expansive rugby that thrilled the crowd of over 15000.
It was the home side who started the match the strongest, and skipper Piri Weepu took advantage of that fact when he slotted a sixth-minute penalty to open the scoring.
Bay of Plenty consolidated and fought hard in the opening period, and the score remained 3-0 to Wellington until 25 minutes. The Lions then made their field position count when Serge Lilo broke from a scrum to set-up fullback Cory Jane for the first try of the match.
This time, Weepu could not convert, and the score remained 8-0 to the home side.
The visitors made their voices heard shortly after with a try of their own through All Black Sevens star Zar Lawrence in the 31st minute. The try was neatly worked by the Steamers, who controlled the phases well to get their man in for the score.
Flyhalf Mike Delaney failed to convert, but the Steamers were within touching distance at 5-8.
Back came the Lions through star wing Hosea Gear, who put the icing on a sizzling backline move to score out wide. Weepu added the extra two points to conclude the scoring in the opening period at 15-5 to the home side.
Bay of Plenty came out of the blocks at speed after the break, and launched a spell of real pressure on the Lions. However, Wellington were one step ahead of their challengers, and managed to spoil the party for the Steamers on the counter-attack.
A turnover deep in Lions territory proved to be fatal for the Steamers, as scrumhalf Alby Mathewson kicked a deep clearance to ease the pressure. Fullback Jane and wing Gear were in hot pursuit, and Jane's speed allowed him to regather possession. The ball went through Lions hands at speed, and the unmarked Gear strolled in for his second try.
And it took only two more minutes for the sublime Gear to pick-up his hat-trick, and for the home side to put the contest to bed.
This time it was eighthman Thomas Waldrom who started the move with a busting run, before offloading to his backs. Suddenly Gear was in space, and he sprinted 40 metres to score his third try of the match, and push the Lions out to a 27-5 lead with half an hour left in the game.
The Steamers had no riposte, and that opened the floor for the Lions to run riot.
Tane Tu'ipulotu scored Wellington's fifth try after good work by centre Tamati Ellison and the impressive Gear, and shortly after flank Victor Vito bulldozed his way through three defenders to crash over for Wellington.
The big flank finished the match strongly, and repeated his powerful heroics with a second try - Wellington's seventh - to finish off a great day for the home side.
The contest was well and truly decided, but there was still time for Bay of Plenty to grab a consolation try through scrumhalf Jamie Nutbrown, who ghosted through a hole to score under the sticks for the visitors.
But the day belonged to Wellington, who remain the team to beat in the Air NZ Cup courtesy of yet another runaway victory.
Scorers:
For Wellington:
Tries: Gear 3, Vito 2, Tu'ipulotu, Jane
Cons: Weepu 5
Pens: Weepu
For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Lawrence, Nutbrown
Cons: Delaney
Teams:
Wellington:
15 Cory Jane, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Piri Weepu (captain), 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Eugene Smith, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Scott Fuglistaller, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Kaipati Gaualofa, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Buxton Popoalii.
Bay of Plenty: 15 Zar Lawrence, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Cory Aporo, 12 Nigel Hunt, 11 Toby Arnold, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer (captain), 6 Solomon King, 5 John Moore, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 James McGougan, 2 John Pareanga, 1 Joe Savage.
Replacements: 16 Dean Elmiger, 17 Arden David-Perrot, 18 Luke Braid, 19 Josh Hall, 20 Kelly Haimona, 21 Teu Nafe, 22 AN Other.
Referee: Vinny Munro
Television match official: Garratt
Williamson
