Wellington 30
North Harbour 27
KEY POINTS:
North Harbour's reputation as the hard luck team of the national championship received another ringing endorsement last night as Wellington overturned a 14-point halftime deficit to snatch victory with a late try.
The bonus-point win, Wellington's second in succession, will keep them at the top of the table regardless of other results this weekend.
For Harbour, who remain marooned near the foot of the table, a second close loss bonus point will have been scant consolation.
Wellington always looked the better side and made enough breaks to win several matches in what was an open and entertaining contest, but Harbour's superior work at the breakdown and resilient scrambling defence almost earned them what would have been a curious victory.
Recalled All Black Piri Weepu was the central figure for Wellington as the much-anticipated battle between discarded Wellington first five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth and his replacement, New Zealand under-20s rep Daniel Kirkpatrick, never happened.
Kirkpatrick departed with a damaged shoulder in the opening minutes, forcing Weepu to shift into the playmaking role he has filled from time to time for the Hurricanes.
The move was hardly an unqualified success, but the nuggety Weepu did contribute 15 points courtesy of a try, two penalties and two conversions and ably marshalled a backline further weakened by the early loss of fullback Cory Jane.
Wellington dominated the opening exchanges but it was Harbour who struck first, Nafi Tuitavake pouncing after Wellington wing Tu Umaga-Marshall spilled an innocuous-looking Gopperth chip.
Weepu landed a penalty for Wellington and lock Api Naikatini put them ahead with a try that was set up by a break from replacement halfback Alby Mathewson.
Wellington were prepared to run the ball deep from within their own territory and the tactic almost paid off, with two searing breaks only shut down by desperate Harbour cover defence.
Harbour, by contrast, were happy to test Wellington with a succession of kicks and the tactic again paid dividends when Weepu spilled a high ball on his own 22 and Anthony Tuitavake handed off two defenders before sending his brother over in the corner for his second try.
Wellington pushed hard to close the gap but on halftime Weepu tried a bit too hard, forcing a pass that was picked off by intercept specialist Viliame Waqaseduadua. The Fijian flier had no trouble outstripping the Wellington chasers on an 80-metre run to the posts, his try and Gopperth's third conversion putting Harbour up 24-10 at the break.
Wellington struck back five minutes into the second spell with hooker Dane Coles doing a fair impersonation of a second five-eighths, taking an inside ball from Weepu and busting the line before streaking away to score.
A Gopperth penalty gave Harbour some breathing space but when Weepu crossed from a five-metre scrum and then added a penalty Harbour were left clinging to a two-point lead.
There was an air of inevitability about the finish. Hosea Gear surged deep into the Harbour 22 and Wellington quickly shifted the ball left where Thomas Waldrom was waiting to rumble over in the corner.
