Wellington win spectacular Hurricanes derby

7.30PM

Wellington announced themselves as top dogs in the Hurricanes Super 12 rugby franchise in breathtaking style by thrashing Taranaki 73-28 in their NPC first division match here today.

In a festival-like clash at Westpac Stadium, Wellington scored 10 of the 14 tries, all of which were converted.

Stalwart first five-eighth David Holwell kicked 19 points in his last game for the province before flying out tomorrow to take up a contract with Irish club Leinster.

The win sees Wellington move past Taranaki to the top of the table with two rounds remaining. Taranaki's fourth try late in the contest earned them a bonus point which could yet prove decisive in the race for semifinal places.

Touted as a Super 12 trial match the contest was one-way traffic from the opening whistle as Wellington crossed for a scarcely-believable five tries inside the opening 20 minutes. Up 35-0 at that point, much of the intensity went out of the contest although the skill involved in many of the tries made for spectacular viewing.

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga threw a telling pass in all the first tour tries and scored the fifth himself, off a spectacular cut-out pass thrown by flanker Jerry Collins.

Wingers Lome Fa'atau and Sireli Bobo, who both finished with two tries, were among the early scorers, along with returning flanker Scott Waldrom.

Taranaki winger Sailosi Tagicakibau struck back for the first of his two tries to halt the landslide but his side still found themselves down 7-38 at the break.

Wellington tryscorers in the second half were centre Conrad Smith and loose forwards Rodney So'oialo, Kristian Ormsby and Thomas Waldrom.

Taranaki's other tries went to fullback James Hilgendorf and flanker Chris Masoe.

Taranaki's dreadful run against Wellington in the NPC continued.

They have have only won twice since the competition began in 1976, the last time 15 years ago.


Wellington captain Rodney So'oialo said precision was the team's priority heading into the table-topping showdown.

"We really wanted the accuracy to be there, to maintain the ball and obviously give our wingers some ball," said So'oialo, who was pleased Holwell was leaving on a winning note.

"It was a great send-off for him. He's been a great player for Wellington and New Zealand rugby."

Taranaki counterpart Paul Tito said his team had been shellshocked by Wellington's opening blitz.

"I don't know what goes on in Wellington players' heads," he said.

"In that first 20 minutes everything they touched seemed to turn to gold. They're a class act whenever they play against us, good on them."

He said the bonus point was the only positive they could take from the match and hoped it could yet provide a semifinal lifeline.

- NZPA


NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two |