Rugby: Winger's hattrick sinks Taranaki

Wellington hooker Dane Coles was a key figure in the Lions victory over Taranaki. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington 23
Taranaki 5

Winger Jason Woodward outshone his more illustrious teammates to grab three tries in Wellington's 23-5 over Taranaki in a national provincial rugby championship match in New Plymouth tonight.

Woodward, playing just his second match for the province, was into everything and was rewarded with a hat-trick in the premiership division match in perfect conditions at Yarrows Stadium.

His standout performance overshadowed that of All Blacks Andrew Hore, Piri Weepu and Cory Jane and a host of Super 15 players as Wellington outscored Taranaki three tries to one.

Much of the pre-match talk had been of the match-up at first five-eighth between Wellington's Lima Sopoaga and Taranaki's Beauden Barrett, both members of the junior world championship-winning Baby Blacks. Both had their moments, and Barrett, a contender to fill Aaron Cruden's boots at the Hurricanes after the Manawatu pivot opted to join the Chiefs next season, had limited opportunities to show his attacking prowess and had an off night with his goalkicking missing all his kicks including one adjacent to the posts.

The Lions dominated the first half with their Hurricanes heavy lineup keeping the hosts on the back foot and All Blacks halfback Weepu, given another game to boost his match fitness, and Jane were prominent. Jane, in the All Blacks squad as injury cover, was forced from the field in the second half with a badly dislocated finger.

Another to be given some game time ahead of the All Blacks' test against Fiji on Friday was Hurricanes discard Hore who enjoyed the battle with the player set to take over his No.2 jersey at the Hurricanes, Wellington's Dane Coles.

Michael Hobbs, making his first-class comeback after a serious back injury, gave Wellington the lead via a penalty after missing an early attempt, before Barrett and then Weepu were also astray.

Just when it appeared the half would end tryless, the impressive Woodward crossed in the corner just before the break after good lead-up work from skipper Jeremy Thrush and Sopoaga sent him clear.

Taranaki, who were subdued in the opening act, burst into life after the resumption and had a try ruled out before Hurricanes midfield back Jayden Hayward fended off Weepu close to the line to cross after strong work by the Taranaki pack.

Barrett's conversion attempt was off target and Hobbs missed another three-point shot before Coles showed his pace to set off on a 30-metre run before offloading to Woodward just short of the line for the 22-year-old to grab his second try of the night which Weepu converted before adding a penalty.

Woodward had enough time to grab his hat-trick after Weepu's kick bounced kindly for Alapati Leiua to send the powerful Upper Hutt wing over in the corner.

Wellington 23 (Jason Woodward 3 tries; Piri Weepu con, pen, Michael Hobbs pen) Taranaki 5 (Jayden Hayward try). Halftime: 8-0

- NZPA