Wellington upset Auckland

By WYNNE GRAY

Wellington scored a rare rugby win over Auckland tonight when they upset the defending national first division (NPC) champions in a high-scoring match at Eden Park tonight.

Both teams scored six tries each and in the end Wellington held on to win 46-42 for just their second victory in about 20 years.

Both teams seemed to forget about their defences and attacked from anywhere on the field.

"We didn't make the tackles -- too many mistakes," Auckland captain and No 8 Xavier Rush said.

Lock Ross Filipo, promoted from the bench after blindside flanker Hemi Pou was ruled out with injury, sparked the game with the opening two tries for Wellington. Kristian Ormsby, who was forced to move from lock to blindside flanker in the reshuffle didn't score but provided great support and link for the Wellington try scorers.

No 8 Thomas Waldrom, who also scored two tries to cap a fine all round game, was another prominent figure on the field as both teams buzzed the ball round the famous sporting venue.

It was obvious the mix was distinctive when Auckland prop Scott Palmer scored with a huge swan dive and pike over a maul, a move not usually associated with a 120kg prop who is supposed to be in retirement.

There was also the sight of another Fijian wing, Sireli Bobo, scorching down the left flank with defenders sprawling in his wake.

Bobo is a great mate of Blues star Rupeni Caucaunibuca, and may be just as quick.

If he had got more ball Wellington would have won handsomely, instead they had to withstand a late onslaught from Auckland before squeaking home by four points.

They also had to last the last five minutes without prop Kas Lealamanua who was sinbinned for a professional foul.

It would have been an injustice if Wellington had lost, their pack was far hungrier at the breakdown and probably more cohesive in the jigsaw game.

Captain David Holwell made the final difference, he missed only a couple of kicks while Brent Ward was not quite as accurate.

Holwell kicked two penalties and five conversions for 16 points and Ward managed 12 from two penalties and three conversions.

Wellington shrugged off their loss to Waikato last week to roll over the top of the defending champions who were strangely off-key.

After two games without conceding a try, Auckland's defences fell apart.

They yielded their first try after just three minutes and a further three in the opening half with their line crossed twice more in the second spell.

It was unlike Auckland but their problem was widespread and even involved restored All Blacks flanker Daniel Braid.

It is rare for him to miss a tackle but he missed Waldrom when the No 8 ran hard for a try from one lineout.

Midfield back Sam Tuitupou was a late withdrawal for Auckland, an absence which caused all sorts of rearrangement and probably compounded their defensive uncertainty.

Wellington's shuffle paid huge first half dividends with Filipo crossing for the opening try, grabbing another when he breached Auckland's lineout defence on their line and then setting up another for Jason Spice with a swivelling run.

Auckland's defence failed to make standard tackles rather than being beaten by some scintillating attack.

However, Wellington were unable to create a huge lead in the match midway through the second half but they also gave away tries too readily.

One came from an unfortunate charge down of Holwell's kick but their resistance also looked a little shaky when Orene Ai'i or Brent Ward spread their attacking talents.

But this game will be remembered for it high-octane action, bordering on the madcap at times.

Wellington 46 (Ross Filipo 2, Thomas Waldrom 2, Jason Spice, Sireli Bobo tries; David Holwell 2 pen, 5 con), Auckland 42 (Xavier Rush, Derren Witcombe, Ben Atiga, Scott Palmer, Bradley Mika, Shannon Paku tries, Brent Ward 2 pen, 3 con). Halftime: 29-23.