Rugby: Lions romp to huge win over Turbos

David Smith carries the ball in his side's 43-15 win over Manawatu at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

A Wellington side stuck together by band-aids proved too hot to handle and romped to a 43-15 win over Manawatu in an Air NZ Cup rugby match in Wellington.

The bonus-point win saw Wellington leap from eighth spot into third in the standings, joining a logjam of seven teams still in playoffs contention with three rounds to go.

Wellington have been disrupted by injury in recent weeks and took the field with regular prop and skipper Jacob Ellison joining Daniel Ramsay at lock after Mark Reddish and new man Nick Passi were both injured last week.

Stalwarts such as Tamati Ellison, Piri Weepu and Hosea Gear are also on the injured list and have rarely featured for Wellington this season.

As well, they were also missing No 8 Rodney So'oailo today but his understudy Mathew Luamanu turned in a powerful performance from the base of the scrum and in the loose.

With All Blacks John Schwalger and Neemia Tialata the starting props, Wellington dominated the set piece while Victor Vito and Ramsay stood up in the lineouts.

Wellington scored through wing David Smith from a set move from a 5m scrum early in the first half but Manawatu replied with a runaway try set up by centre Johnny Leota for wing Lote Raikabula.

Wellington's second try came through centre Alapati Leuia, who showed off his footwork and power to burst through the Manawatu defence.

The Wellington backline, with fullback Cory Jane outstanding, clicked into gear in the second half.

Jane set up halfback Alby Mathewson for a try before grabbing one himself in the first 10 minutes of the second stanza to take the wind out of Manawatu's sails.

Luamanu then gift wrapped another try for Mathewson with another powerful burst which shredded the Manawatu defence.

With the result secure, Wellington coach Jamie Joseph cleared his bench and was rewarded by two further tries by Robert Fruean and Ramsay against a punch-drunk Manawatu.

Manawatu's second half try was scored by Tomasi Cama in a well-taken counter after Wellington turned the ball over while hot on attack.

Wellington: 43 (Alby Mathewson 2, David Smith, Alapati Leuia, Cory Jane, Robert Fruean, Daniel Ramsay tries; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 con, Fa'atonu Fili 2 con) Manawatu: 15 (Lote Raikabula, Tomasi Cama tries, Isaac Thompson pen, Cama con). Halftime: 14-8.

- NZPA