Lomu gets a run as North Harbour put Wellington to bed

Jonah Lomu's return after a three-year absence from the New Zealand first-class scene may have caused one of the biggest cheers in North Harbour's match against Wellington at Albany yesterday.

But in reality Lomu's 25-minute cameo in the second spell was but one of the many Harbour highlights as the side overran a listless Wellington 31-16.

Lomu's role was restricted to a couple of attempted runs when he came into the line from the left wing, and one effective tackle. But Harbour had so many other strengths that he wasn't really needed. Harbour outdazzled Wellington in the backs - where midfield men Rua Tipoki and Anthony Tuitavake were especially sharp - and in the forwards, magnificently led by lock Anthony Boric and No 8 Nick Williams.

Wellington started the game poorly when first five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth botched the kickoff and from then were always out of sorts, their game studded with errors. This was a pity for Conrad Smith in his first big outing since breaking his leg in the Super 14.

He and the other Wellington three-quarters, Lome Fa'atau and Cory Jane, were virtually no more than spectators.

In the closing stages lock Ross Filipo did cross for a try, but by then a rampant Harbour had already secured their fourth try and a bonus point when yet another backline breakdown gifted Harbour right wing Viliame Waqasedua a runaway.

* You wouldn't be surprised if the odd tear was shed in the Northland dressing-room after putting the drought to bed. Their 21-17 win over Counties Manukau at Mt Smart Stadium stopped their championship losing run at 30 going back to the 2002 season.

Their previous win was in Invercargill that season, and back Hayden Taylor was the only player in both starting XVs.

David Holwell was a critical influence for Northland, scoring one try and expertly setting up another for Josh Levi.

Counties gave it everything near the end, and burly Kristian Ormsby was held up over the line.

The whistle, a few moments later, was the signal for upflung arms and beaming smiles.

"We did not want to make it 31," Holwell said last night. "The boys showed how much heart and character there is in the team. It was a great feeling and hopefully now we can just get on with playing rugby with a bit of self-belief."