A sublime performance from All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu paved the way for Wellington's 31-17 win over Taranaki in their NPC first division match in New Plymouth tonight.
The match was a dead-rubber with both teams out of semifinals contention, but Weepu, backing up from an impressive international season, provedhis class on a wet night at Yarrow Stadium.
The No.9 created all of Wellington's three first half tries, and for good measure nailed three penalties after the break to stretch Wellington's 22-10 halftime lead.
A late try to Taranaki second five-eighth Lifeimi Mafi closed the gap, but Wellington maintained a comfortable buffer throughout the match despite both sides scoring three tries apiece.
Weepu's All Blacks' teammates also stepped up for Wellington with flanker Jerry Collins, No.8 Rodney So'oialo and second five-eighth Tana Umaga all having strong games.
The match was effectively a Hurricanes Super 14 trial and Taranaki wing and tryscorer Sailosi Tagicakibau did his chances no harm as he constantly menaced the Wellington defence while Taranaki lock Jason Eaton impressed.
Taranaki No.8 Chris Masoe -- bound for the capital next season -- could find himself in an All Blacks jersey for the end-of-year tour after producing another powerful performance.
Wellington started rapidly with tries to Collins and Umaga within the opening five minutes -- courtesy of great work from Weepu.
Inside Taranaki's 22, Weepu nudged through a grubber kick which Collins dived on, then minutes later he threw a long cut-out pass to Umaga wide on the left wing who stepped then ran 15 metres to the tryline.
Wellington fullback Jimmy Gopperth slotted a penalty shortly afterwards, and at 15-0 up, Wellington looked as though they would romp home.
But Taranaki solidified, reverted to their traditional powerful forward driving play, and prop Hamish Mitchell drove over in the 23rd minute for their first try.
Wellington were shaken minutes later when Tagicakibau finished off Mafi's midfield break to score.
The remainder of the first half was evenly contested until Weepu's clever right boot saw centre Ma'a Nonu score from another grubber kick right on halftime.
Gopperth nailed the sideline conversion giving them a healthy lead at the break.
