A year after being relegated with the most points conceded of any of the ITM Cup's 14 teams, Wellington have suddenly become impenetrable. The Lions have given up only one try in four games - in the season-opening upset of defending champions Taranaki - and went 170 minutes without conceding a point before Ash Moeke's early penalty today.
That was as good as it got for the home side and, on reflection, they never really looked like adding to their tally. Wellington completely controlled proceedings and, on the rare occasions when Southland were allowed a sniff, the visitors' staunch defence quickly snuffed out any opportunity.
As dominant as their defence appeared, Wellington were even better with ball in hand, overcoming a few early wobbles to have their way with the Stags. After initially being undone by handling errors or erroneous decision-making, Wellington in the second half found the combination of power and patience to consistently puncture the opposition's defensive line.
They went straight through Southland when so desired and around their opposition with equal ease, showing far too much precision and pace for the home side to handle.
Just as pleasingly for coach Chris Boyd, all the flair was based on a commanding performance from Wellington's forwards, who earned ascendancy both at the set piece and in the open field, imposing their will through push-over scrums and 30-metre lineout drives.
Jeremy Thrush quickly shook off his World Cup disappointment and grabbed a hat-trick of tries, while Ardie Savea again showed why he has found his way to the fringes of the All Blacks at such tender years.
But that duo was far from alone and promising 23-year-old flanker Vaea Fifita, in particular, excelled in the open field, laying on his side's bonus-point try before grabbing Wellington's sixth for himself.
Southland 3 (A. Moeke pen)
Wellington 53 (J. Thrush 3, J. Bentley, L. Apisai, V. Fifita, T. Alosio, T. Palu tries; J. Bentley 3 cons, pen, J. Garden-Bachop 2 cons)
HT: 3-15
