Rugby: Wanganui thump Poverty Bay in Gisborne

Photo / APN

Wanganui bounced back from an upset loss at home to Mid Canterbury last weekend to thump Poverty Bay 58-13 in round five of the Heartland Championship in Gisborne today.

Poverty Bay were in the game when they trailed 20-13 after 47 minutes but the floodgates opened as Wanganui scored 38 unanswered points.

Classy second five-eighths Stellie Koro had a hand in most of his side's tries and fullback Asalemo Malo also chimed in with a brace of tries.

"It goes without saying that was a much better effort than last week," Wanganui coach Jason Caskey said. "I must admit I didn't expect us to score as many points against Poverty Bay."

Bay coach Grainger Heikell said the last 20 minutes were an embarrassment. "We didn't tackle, we turned the ball over and gifted them tries."

Although seven of the eight tries were scored by the backs, openside flanker Darren Munro had an outstanding game for the visitors.

Poverty Bay 13 (John Stewart try; Scott Leighton con, 2 pens) Wanganui 58 (Tevita Tafui 2, Ace Malo 2, Steelie Koro, Rusiate Vukula, Jason Hughes tries; Malo 3 cons; Mark Davis 3 cons, 2 pens). HT: 10-17.

-APNZ