Rugby: Cruden steers Turbos past Lions

Lima Sopoaga of Wellington is tackled by Aseli Tikoirotuma of Manawatu. Photo / Getty Images

Manawatu 31 Wellington 25

Aaron Cruden created two tries and kicked 16 points as Manawatu humbled Wellington 31-25 in a national provincial rugby championship match in Wellington tonight.

Unwanted by the All Blacks, Manawatu first five-eighths Cruden gave a timely reminder of his skills as the Turbos inflicted a second defeat in two years on Wellington who remain rooted at the foot of the premiership table and in danger of being relegated to the championship division next season.

Manawatu are a contender to replace them in the top echelon and had Cruden and a powerful forward effort to thank for the result which leaves them level on points with Hawke's Bay at the top of the championship table.

The home side made the perfect start when hooker Dane Coles squirrelled over in the second minute from a handful of metres out.

Cruden landed an early penalty in response and then stabbed a perfectly weighted kick through for New Zealand sevens star Tomasi Cama to win the race for the ball and hand the visitors the lead.

Coles had his second try five minutes later when a pass from halfback TJ Perenara put him into a yawning gap and the 24-year-old galloped over from 20 metres out for a try converted by Lima Sopoaga.

Back in the lead, Wellington lost their captain Jeremy Thursh to the sin bin after a charge on Cruden and the pivot kick two penalties to give the green and whites a 16-14 lead at the interval.

The Turbos struck first after the resumption when centre Asalei Tikoirotuma stepped through a gaping hole in the Lions' backline for an unconverted try to extend their advantage, but his opposite Michael Lealava'a was denied a try on debut when he lost the ball diving for the line.

Two Sopoaga penalties got the host to within one point but then Cruden, who did not endear himself to the Wellington public by opting to ditch the Hurricanes in favour of the Chiefs in next year's Super 15, put on a masterclass int he final 10 minutes to guide the Turbos to victory.

His pinpoint pass found flanker Callum Gibbons unmarked out wide and his sideline conversion took the margin out to eight points.

Then, under immense pressure, he swivelled and landed a drop goal from distance to ensure the win before Thrush crossed after the fulltime hooter had sounded to at least grab a point for their efforts.

Manawatu 31 (Tomasi Cama, Asalei Tikoirotuma, Callum Gibbons tries; Aaron Cruden 3 pen, 2 con, drop goal) Wellington 25 (Dane Coles 2, Jeremy Thursh tries; Lima Sopoaga 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 16-14.

- NZPA