Rugby: Wellington pound Counties

Alby Mathewson makes a break against Counties Manukau at Growers Stadium, Pukekohe. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington cast aside the memory of last week's feeble Ranfurly Shield loss to Canterbury with a 62-19 win over Counties Manukau in their Air NZ Cup rugby match at Pukekohe tonight.

Wellington's strength up front and pace out wide proved too much for an injury-stricken Counties Manukau and former All Blacks winger Hosea Gear led the way with a four-try bag.

Counties Manukau were missing 11 players today due to injury or illness, and never looked likely to add to their one Air NZ Cup win this season -- over Taranaki -- two weeks ago.

They especially missed captain Tasesa Lavea, out through illness, and international sevens captain, DJ Forbes, still carrying a neck injury.

Wellington had to work for their first try, which didn't come until 15 minutes had gone with just a sole Daniel Kirkpatrick penalty to show.

But once Gear crossed for the first of his four tries, bringing his total for the season to eight, the floodgates opened and Wellington racked up 26 points in the next 15 minutes.

Gear brought up his hat-trick of tries with a textbook effort on the back of a jinking, probing run from the ever-elusive Cory Jane. With the Wellington forwards quick to the breakdown and some quality ball resulting, Kirkpatrick threatened the line before off-loading in the tackle for Gear to cross.

But Counties Manukau showed impressive resolve -- and more than a little patience -- as the first half drew to a close.

Nearly two minutes after the siren sounded, and after recycling through 12 phases of play, first five-eighth and captain Dean Cummins reached out in the tackle to touch down.

Tim Nanai-Williams converted, and Counties Manukau went into the break with a small margin of pride restored but still 7-36 down.

And although Wellington were first to score in the second half, centre Robbie Fruean crossing after just two minutes, Counties Manukau continued to attack and were rewarded with two quick tries in 10 minutes.

Fullback Ahsee Tuala and hooker Ilaisa Ma'asi crossed as Wellington lost traction, but normal service was resumed when Gear went over for his fourth and the Lions led 48-19 with 25 minutes remaining.

Wellington coach Jamie Joseph emptied his bench, Mathew Luamanu and Scott Fuglistaller both making the most of their chances with late tries while Counties Manukau pounded the Wellington line right to the final whistle, it was for no reward.

Wellington 62 (Hosea Gear 4, Cory Jane, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Robbie Fruean, Mathew Luamanu, Scott Fuglistaller tries; Kirkpatrick pen, 5 con; Fa'atonu Fili 2 con) Counties-Manukau 19 (Dean Cummins, Ahsee Tuala, Ilaisa Ma'asi tries; Tim Nanai-Williams 2 con). Halftime: 36-7.

- NZPA