Last rehearsal goes well for Wellington

Wellington coach John Plumtree was "reasonably happy" with his side's "first and last rehearsal" for their match against the Lions.

The first division side ran in five tries to three in their 31-17 win against second division Hawkes Bay in Napier yesterday.

"We experimented with a few things and gave the ball plenty of width as our combinations started to come together.

"At the same time we know there's a lot of work to be done and we've got nine days to do it," Plumtree said, referring to their June 15 clash with the Lions in the capital.

Hawkes Bay defended well for long periods, particularly in the first half as Wellington took a 19-12 lead into the break.

The home team opened the scoring with a try to winger Jacob Kennedy in the 20th minute.

Wellington had to wait until the 22nd minute to score their first try and it was last year's Hawkes Bay fullback Cory Jane, playing on the wing, who opened their account.

Jane, fellow winger Roy Kinikinilau and fullback Justin Wilson were always dangerous on the counter attack. Thomas Waldrom at No 8 was a powerful figure in the visiting pack.

The Hawkes Bay scrum operated with captain and lock Lua Lokotui to the fore with a huge workrate.

Young fullback James Rosenberg shone in his Hawkes Bay debut, as did former East Coast captain and No 8 Wirihana Raihania and former Hurricanes, Manawatu and Taranaki halfback Richard Jarman.

In the curtainraiser, Hawkes Bay B beat last year's third division runners-up Wairarapa Bush 31-17.

- NZPA