Wellington's brute force with brilliance [+audio]

Isa Nacewa scored Auckland's first try last night but it was Wellington who finished the stronger. Picture / Richard Robinson

Wellington 30 Auckland 15

Resuscitation labs and oxygen chambers were required last night after Wellington headed for the provincial final in a classic at Eden Park.

It is a rare side which can blend brutality with panache, mix good judgment with adventure. Wellington bridged those difficulties last night and also managed to insert some variety into their game. That was the crucial difference in an Air New Zealand Cup match of express pace and intensity.

Wellington were too organised, aware of when to push and when to hold on defence; Auckland's tactics had been in the public domain too long for them not to be educated.

Wellington brought a stronger scrum, their counter-rucking had a shade more accuracy and their lineout functioned better. They were also prepared to regroup, slow the game down occasionally or vary their play.

"It was very disappointing," Auckland coach Pat Lam said. "It was a matter of not controlling the setpiece and really turning the ball over at times. We came under pressure because we did not control the ball."

Auckland's first, second, third and infinite instincts were to have a go.

It delivered a colossal contest before Wellington emerged to challenge for their first provincial title since their 2000 triumph. Their only concern was a late leg injury to star prop Neemia Tialata.

Rodney So'oialo, playing his 50th provincial game, led his side out but they were in for an early shock when Isa Nacewa's angled run brought him a try after Auckland smuggled a turnover.

That set the pattern for the first half - if there was one apart from the "everyone spread out and let's attack" message - with both sides giving the ball plenty of air.

Not long after Piri Weepu ignored a penalty shot at goal, tapped and hurled a great flat pass to Conrad Smith who tiptoed down the sideline for the best Wellington answer.

Another turnover for Wellington gave Cory Jane the opportunity to slip his marker and manoeuvre Tana Umaga into an unchallenged lope to the tryline. All that action came in the first 11 minutes and brought a suspicion the match was heading for a record points tally.

As quickly as those points came, the scoring evaporated with Jimmy Gopperth's two penalties all that occurred before the interval.

But that was down to both sides tightening their defensive systems and raising their desperation levels.

It was body-bending stuff, (for the most part) legal sports panelbeating at its best. The collisions were fearsome, the endeavour massive, the entertainment high-class.

Any comfort Wellington might have felt with an 18-5 halftime advantage in such a physical contest was shaken soon after the interval when Isaia Toeava showed why the All Black panel rate him so highly.

He had been called on after five minutes to replace a dazed Brent Ward. For much of the first half Toeava was restricted to defensive duties. But that changed after the break when he made a superb 35m arcing run to beat five defenders and score a superb individual try.

It gave Auckland the impetus they craved and the conviction they could rein Wellington in.

A Ben Atiga penalty got Auckland within three points but final tries to the impressive Tialata, who grunted two metres to the line, and Jerry Collins snuffed out Auckland's hopes.

Wellington: C. Smith, T. Umaga, N. Tialata, J. Collins, tries; J. Gopperth 2 con, 2 pen

Auckland: I. Nacewa, I. Toeava tries; B. Atiga con, pen.

* Halftime 18-5.