Rugby: Lions stay close to NPC leaders

Wellington has kept themselves in touch with the NPC leaders with a 41-13 win over an ill-disciplined Taranaki side at WestpacTrust Stadium last night.

The home side ran in four tries to one to bring themselves within one point of Waikato, Canterbury and Auckland at the top of the table.

The match was marred by the sending off of two Taranaki players - halfback Brendan Haami for stomping, and substitute hooker Dan Smith for a late and high tackle on Wellington first-five David Howell close to full-time.

Holwell brought up 500 NPC points during the match, kicking three conversions and five penalties before before he was sidelined by Smith's tackle.

It was a short game too for Wellington number eight Filo Tiatia, who left the field with a suspected broken arm after smashing into Taranaki lock Paul Tito in the first half.

Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen were among the try-scorers for Wellington, along with Simo Sititi and Jerry Collins.

Taranaki winger Neil Brew scored his side's only try while Daryl Lilley successfully kicked the conversion and two penalties.