Wellington 45 Waikato 33
KEY POINTS:
Sometimes this afternoon, at about the same time the rugby analysis video arrives at Auckland headquarters at Eden Park, there will be a howl of anguish emanating from the offices of Shane Howarth, provincial rugby coach.
Because when he pushes play and starts looking for holes in the Wellington rugby machine, he might reach the end of the video clip and still have an empty notebook.
On the evidence the Wellington Lions produced in dispensing with Waikato in Wellington last night, Howarth's hopes of maintaining his unblemished record as head coach, and keeping the Ranfurly Shield in the big smoke, look decidely dodgy.
The Lions turned the Mooloo men inside out, enjoying a 45-33 victory.
An explosive start from Wellington immediately rubbed the glint of expectation from the Mooloo men. A trio of tries in the first 15 minutes and the bonus-point touchdown logged with the scorekeepers by the 19th minute ensured the visitors were only ever going to be roadkill en route to Ranfurly Shield anticipation.
In a golden 12-minute spell, Wellington broke the Waikato side wide open by lifting the tempo with tap-and-go free kick options on attack while pressurising the scrum.
It all started when Tane Tu'ipulotu glided to the tryline 10 minutes in, Hosea Gear grabbed an intercept try two minutes later, then Tamiti Ellison chased down a hack ahead and bagged try number three.
The fourth was a counter-attacking surge finished with a stylish dummy and pass from Ellison to try-scorer Corey Jane. By fulltime Wellington had scored seven tries.
Once the Lions had banked enough points to be totally assured of success, they took their foot off the accelerator, swapping the temptation to unleash the entire playbook for the option of keeping a few tricks for the Aucklanders and potential Log O' Wood glory.
In a somewhat risky ploy, Wellington coach Jamie Joseph even sat playmaker Thomas Waldrom on the bench at halftime. It almost called his men off the scent, it certainly took the sting out of the competition.
But when Waikato skipper Liam Messam limped off just after the break, any chance of a remarkable resurgence from the Waikato boys soon faded.
The backline combination of Tu'ipuloto and Ellison was irresistible, the early energy of Waldrom at No 8 a trump card, and the occassional foray from fullback of Jane added to the mix. Even front-rowers John Schwalger and Tim Fairbrother appeared striding over open turf with ball in hand.
Waikato could take some solace - Fijian winger Savenaca Tokula and halfback Malcolm Barnes were prominent in flashes and the team was happy to attack. Their defence was not quite so appealing.
Waikato did join the try-scoring party, lodging their opener to winger Tim Mikkelson after catching the home team off guard from a free kick restart 25 minutes in, and lock Toby Lynn dotted down in the first spell. There were two more touchdowns to set a few cowbells a-ringin', with fullback Dwayne Sweeney then pivot Trent Renata scoring on a breakout.
But the Wellington confidence is now riding sky high. Look out Auckland, Wellington have 27 years of Ranfurly Shield anguish to unleash.
Wellington 45 (T. Tu'ipulotu, H. Gear 2, T. Ellison 2, C. Jane, D. Coles tries; F. Fili 5 cons) Waikato 33 (T. Mikkelson, T. Lynn, D. Sweene, T. Renata, C. Bruce tries; C. Bruce 4 cons) Ht: 26-12
