Auckland outmuscled by Wellington in NPC opener

Foward muscle looks as though it could be Wellington's trump card in the NPC after the home side beat Auckland 26-14 at Porirua Park last night.

In front of about 2500 fans, Wellington outscored Auckland three tries to two in persistent rain.

Though the game should be kept in perspective - Auckland were missing 10 All Blacks - Auckland coach Pat Lam was impressed.

"Outstanding. In those conditions, you need the pack to front and they did that," Lam said after the match.

"I think they will be a real threat this year. They will be one of the main contenders."

His Wellington counterpart, John Plumtree, was less eager to laud his team a week before the start of the NPC, but was nonetheless pleased. "The only negative was a poor start and [Tane] Tuipulotu's injury.

"Obviously, the forwards were very good. You have to be pleased with those things [the set pieces]. I was delighted with the attitude. But next week's the key, we have to perform every week, not a one-off."

Form second five-eighth Tuipulotu staggered from the field after a sickening head clash with Auckland wing Tony Koonwaiyou that left both players unconscious on the stroke of halftime.

Wellington will sweat on fitness tests next week, but the former Aucklander must be doubtful to start against Canterbury next Friday.

But to find negatives after this match would be hard for even the most cynical Wellington fan.

The pack dominated their bigger Auckland opponents.

Props Neemia Tialata and Joe McDonnell were outstanding, as were locks Ross Kennedy and Ross Filipo, while openside Ben Herring showed no signs of a four-month layoff. Riki Flutey may have found his niche at halfback, and Shannon Paku must have sealed a starting position at fullback after a classy display.

New captain Rodney So'oialo was often at the front of Wellington's close-quarter charges and it was his sharp pick-and-go that created room for replacement centre Conrad Smith to give Wellington the lead early in the second spell after Auckland had gone into halftime 14-10 in front.

In Christchurch, Taranaki downed Canterbury 18-17 after leading 13-7 at the break.

Both sides scored two tries.

- NZPA

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