All Blacks call-up urged for So'oialo

11.30am

Wellington coach John Plumtree is calling for Rodney So'oialo to return to the All Blacks for the end of year tour.

The Wellington captain turned in another stellar display as the Lions dispatched Waikato 28-16 to reach their second NPC final in a row.

The Lions scored four tries to one and led 13-9 at half-time in atrocious conditions.

Piri Weepu, Neemia Tialata, Lome Fa'atau and Conrad Smith crossed for tries for Wellington with David Hill scoring a late consolation try for Waikato.

Plumtree says he cannot speak highly enough of So'oialo and is surprised there has not been more talk of him being an All Black.

Plumtree also praised the performance of flanker Kristian Ormsby, who was called in to replace the suspended Jerry Collins.

He says that in those wet and windy conditions, it was good to have a big forward like Ormsby carrying the ball so well and he had a huge game.

Meanwhile, the Wellington coach says there will not be any complacency in his side heading into the final

He says that if it is Canterbury, the players will have to lift themselves up another couple of notches.

Canterbury hosts Bay of Plenty in the second semifinal tonight, while Nelson Bays meets Hawkes Bay in the second division final and Poverty Bay hosts Wairarapa Bush in the third division final this afternoon.

- Newstalk ZB