Wellington 53 Taranaki 12
KEY POINTS:
Wellington scored 50 unanswered points as they went on a try-scoring rampage against Taranaki in an Air NZ Cup rugby match in Wellington on Thursday.
After conceding two tries to trail 3-12 by the 26th minute, Wellington shredded a weak Taranaki defence to score seven tries with first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth converting six and adding a penalty to run out 53-12 victors.
Wing Ma'a Nonu was one of the many standouts for Wellington and celebrated his 50th appearance for the province with a try and playing a big role in two others.
It was Wellington's fifth win in a row which took them to 35 points and solidified their hold on third spot behind Auckland and Canterbury with the playoffs looming.
Wellington dominated possession and territory from the start of the game but were left scratching their heads when Taranaki snatched the lead.
After an early Gopperth penalty put Wellington in front, Taranaki pounced with two quick counter-thrusts.
The first was a well-worked gem with centre Nathan Hohaia carving his way through the Wellington defence, paving the way for a try by wing Shayne Austin in the 20th minute.
Six minutes later, halfback Brett Gooding punished a bungled Wellington lineout to scamper over between the uprights for first five-eighth Jack Cameron to convert.
But with Nonu and big No 8 Thomas Waldrom leading the way, Wellington took control from then, helped by the sin-binning of Taranaki lock Courtney Mackay for persistent infringing.
After Gopperth closed the gap with a penalty, Anthony Perenise and Shannon Paku crossed for their tries.
Nonu played a major role in constructing Paku's try, handling twice before the winger dotted down in the corner to give Wellington an 18-12 lead on the stroke of halftime.
There was no sign of the famed Taranaki passion or fightback in the second half as Wellington ran in another five tries, almost at will.
In a procession into the Taranaki scoring zone, Nonu, Waldrom, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Tom Harding and Faifili Levave racked the points up for Wellington.
Taranaki skipper Tony Penn rued the sinbinning of Mackay while acknowledging Wellington's superiority tonight.
"The two tries at the end of the first half really cost us, the sin binning didn't help either," Penn said.
"You can't win with no ball and no territory.
"We'll have to go back to the drawing board and re-group for next week."
The result left Taranaki clinging on to the final play-off spot with closest rivals Northland and North Harbour still to play.
Wellington 53 (Anthony Perenise, Shannon Paku, Ma'a Nonu, Thomas Waldrom, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Tom Harding, Faifili Levave tries; Jimmy Gopperth 2 pen, 6 con) Taranaki 12 (Shayne Austin, Brett Goodin tries; Jack Cameron con). Halftime: 18-12.
- NZPA
