Wellington shoot to top of NPC with six-try romp

9.30pm

WELLINGTON 48 TARANAKI 20

Wellington shot to the top of the NPC first division rugby table in breathtaking style as they over-ran Taranaki 48-20 in New Plymouth tonight.

With their speedy back three of Christian Cullen, Lome Fa'atau and Sireli Bobo cutting Taranaki's defence to shreds, Wellington cruised in for six tries in their best display of the season.

Right wing Fa'atau scored three of them while captain and first five-eighth David Holwell provided the icing with a 100 per cent goalkicking display -- six conversions and two penalty goals which netted 18 points.

With Waikato and Otago losing to Canterbury and North Harbour respectively today, the win and a four-try bonus point saw Wellington take the competition lead off Waikato on points differential.

It also set up Wellington in fine style for next weekend's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury in Christchurch.

Taranaki hadn't beaten Wellington in an NPC match in 14 years and never looked like it today as their Hurricanes franchise-mates were way too slick.

Fa'atau scored the first two tries, one from a deft chip and chase and another after smart leadup work from Bobo, before Cullen scored under the posts following a series of forward hit-ups to make it 27-3 at halftime.

Taranaki held more first-half possession in an even forward battle but were guilty of numerous errors, notably some inaccurate kicking and endless missed tackles.

With Cullen hitting the line and finding gaps at will, Wellington added three more tries after the break to be 48-8 up with 20 minutes left and the bonus point secure.

The try of the match came from All Blacks squad No 8 Rodney So'oialo after Cullen scythed through from deep in Wellington territory, handed off to flanker Scott Waldrom who delivered the final pass.

Taranaki got back some respectability with two tries from forward drives and a consolation score to left wing Shayne Austin in the final minute.

The result saw Taranaki -- who led the NPC after two rounds -- drop back to ninth place with their fourth straight loss, ahead of only Northland.

Wellington 48 (Lome Fa'atau 3, Christian Cullen, Sireli Bobo, Rodney So'oialo tries; David Holwell 6 con, 2 pen)

Taranaki 20 (Andrew Hore, Daniel Smith, Shayne Austin tries; Mark Urwin con, pen)

Halftime: 27-3

- NZPA