Wellington 38 Tasman 25
KEY POINTS:
Good news came in twos for Wellington coach Aussie McLean yesterday.
Firstly, the 54-year-old former Canterbury coach saw his Wellington team cast aside a decent Tasman challenge, then it was announced he would be Hurricanes assistant coach for the next two years.
It's more likely that tonight he's toasting five valuable competition points rather than his job
In the end, Wellington were too strong and had too much class but, as they slipped into their blazers and the capital's night life last night, they knew they had been in a battle.
The Southerners also scored two of the tries of the season, though Robbie Malneek's full-time effort was the definition of consolation.
Wellington coach Aussie McLean will be pleased to bag five points for a win and four tries but will be perplexed by his side's inability to string together long periods of effectiveness.
Performances like last night's might be enough to beat mid-grade sides such as Tasman and Manawatu but will never suffice against the likes of Canterbury or Auckland.
Their form has been indifferent to say the least, highlighted by a stunning opening round win over Otago and low-lighted by a surprise loss in the wet to Hawke's Bay.
They were both good and not so good at home against a tenacious Tasman tonight, showing vast improvement at scrum time after their set piece deficiencies had been exposed in earlier matches.
But there was little of the assured backplay Wellington teams often deliver, as Tasman hustled and bustled throughout.
Wellington led 16-13 at half-time after playing into a significant breeze but did not skip clear until the final quarter to register their third win in five outings.
Jimmy Gopperth, whose form has been as patchy as his team's, played his part with 18 points from the boot.
Wellington were perhaps fortunate to be awarded their opening try in the 19th minute, when flanker Faifili Levave flirted with being offside before intercepting a pass from halfback Lualua Vailoaloa and being left with an unimpeded run to the line.
There was nothing contentious about Tasman's response from left wing Blair Cook. Centre Caleb Ralph made a half break in the 29th minute before feeding fullback Robbie Malneek, who found Cook looming in support by the left-hand touchline.
Gopperth landed further penalties either side of the interval as Wellington entered the final quarter ahead just 19-13 but growing in confidence as the weight of possession began tilting their way.
That was rewarded in the 61st minute when their best player, fullback Cory Janes, pushed off Malneek for a try which Gopperth converted to give Wellington a 13-point buffer.
They quickly extended that with a try made and scored by second five-eighth Tamati Ellison, who initiated a midfield break, cleverly kicked on the angle for Robert Fruean and was on hand to accept the winger's pass with the tryline in sight.
Tasman showed some ticker to come back with a late try to flanker Jonathan Poff, even if he benefited from the generosity of referee Keith Brown who ignored Wellington's claims of obstruction.
Wellington secured their bonus-point fourth try when replacement hooker Dane Coles burrowed over from close range.
There was still time for Tasman to produce the best try of the game after the hooter when a defiant breakout from their own 22 resulted in Malneek scoring at the other end.
All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata played the second half for Wellington at the request of the national selectors, who decided he needed game time ahead of their departure to the World Cup next week.
At one point he took a knock to the elbow but professed himself okay after the match.
"It's always hard when you've done nothing for two weeks," Tialata said. "I did play on Thursday [against the Barbarians] for 15 minutes but it's good knowing you've done the work now and having that confidence before you take off [for the World Cup]."
Wellington 38 (F. Levave, C. Jane, T. Ellison, D. Coles tries; J. Gopperth 4 pen, 3 con) Tasman 25 (B. Cook, J. Poff, R. Malneek tries; J. Foote pen, dg, con, T. Taylor con). HT: 16-13.
