Rugby: Wellington eye semis in shock victory

It took just two moments of class, reports Chris Rattue, for the scrappy NPC affair at Jade Stadium to be settled.

Wellington took a major stride towards securing their first-ever appearance in the NPC semifinals with a shock 27-6 win over Canterbury in Christchurch last night.

Two moments of class from the Wellington midfield backs settled the issue in a scrappy match in which the home side offered virtually nothing in terms of cohesive attack.

Wellington could not quite manage the ultimate - a four-try bonus point - but now look well placed to make the semis with their final round robin match being at home against the depleted Otago outfit.

Canterbury, who lost flanker Angus Gardiner to injury (replaced by Johnny Leo'o) just before kickoff, held an edge in the opening exchanges with some solid forward drives.

But they squandered their chance to open an early lead with Ben Blair and Daryl Lilley muffing penalty chances.

But it was Canterbury's inability to construct anything like a try-scoring attack when it mattered which enabled Wellington to take control.



Wellington may pay a heavy price though. English prop Kevin Yates left the match in a neck brace after a scrum collapsed, and with Graham Mourie already having to nurse fellow prop Mike Edwards (knee injury) through the season, it could lead to some front row worries.

And teenage loose forward Jerry Collins was stretchered off with a serious ankle problem.

Wellington led 6-3 at halftime and took control in the third quarter.

Centre Jason O'Halloran broke clear and turned an inside ball to lock Inoke Afeaki to create Wellington's first try. And second five-eighths Paul Steinmetz zipped through a gap to set up O'Halloran three minutes later for a 20-6 lead.

Canterbury's ponderous back moves finally cost them when Aaron Mauger's pass was grabbed by wing Ali Koko who raced away for Wellington's third try in the 66th minute.

Wellington's defence was outstanding and their scrum also held the upper hand. A series of scrum penalties against Canterbury in the first half helped the visitors take command. And while the scrum penalties flowed the other way late in the game, the Wellington scrum - with Murray Driver replacing Yates - still managed to smash Canterbury backwards at times.

In terms of quality, it was hardly a match to remember.

There were 26 penalties or freekicks dished out by referee Kelvin Deaker, and inept kicking dominated although David Holwell - who goaled five from six attempts - gradually took command as the score mounted in Wellington's favour. But the long-suffering Wellington faithful may finally have something to celebrate.

Wellington 27 (I. Afeaki, J. O'Halloran, A. Koko tries, D. Holwell 3 con, 2 pen), Canterbury 6 (B. Blair, D. Lilley pens). Halftime: 6-3.