News

Wellington cling to Ranfurly Shield

September 27 2008

Wellington launched a late show to keep their hands on the Ranfurly Shield as they defeated a spirited Tasman 26-20 at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Leading 13-11 with ten minutes remaining, the strong Makos had scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i sin-binned which possibly changed the contest.

And the Lions subsequently clicked into gear from then on as tries from Jeremy Thrush and Thomas Waldrom kept the Log o' Wood in the table-toppers' camp for the summer.

However, Wellington were a shadow of their usual five-point selves as they struggled to find form against Todd Blackadder's men.

Only 24 hours ago Tasman were handed the boost of ANZ Cup security from the NZRU, and they were desperately keen to celebrate that news in the 'Cake Tin'.

And going into the break they seemed to be well on their way as Tasman went in 6-3 up following a dour first period with Miah Nikora and Daniel Kirkpatrick trading penalties.

Wellington's management obviously weren't happy with the opening forty's showing and shifted Piri Weepu to ten at the expense of Kirkpatrick.

And after a period of several costly turnovers it was the All Blacks scrum-half who levelled matters for the Lions on 54 minutes.

Then the hosts finally found a finishing product as try-machine Hosea Gear crossed with a characteristic fend and score wide out.

However, that seemed to spur Tasman into life as they launched a concerted amount of pressure on the opposition whitewash with home defences more than tested.

And their reward finally came when the impressive Kahn Fotuali'i darted over for a converted try to hand the Makos a 13-11 lead.

But then came what proved a significant turning point as scrum-half Fotuali'i was sin-binned for killing the ball eight minutes from time - Weepu sending the subsequent penalty over to go back in front.

The numerical advantage soon saw lock Jeremy Thrush barge over for what was the first part of a quick-fire forward double.

Tasman were then forced to attempt plays with time running down and were duly caught out when Thomas Waldrom strolled over wide out to seal the win.

But substitute James Marshall crossed for a consolation try late on to secure a much-deserved losing bonus point for the Makos.

However, the league-sealing success also came at a cost for the Lions as they lost loose forward Victor Vito to a shoulder injury in the final quarter.

The scorers:

For Wellington:

Tries: Gear, Thrush, Waldrom

Con: Weepu

Pen: Weepu 2, Kirkpatrick

For Tasman:

Tries: Fotuali'i, Marshall

Con: Goodman, Marshall

Pen: Nikora 2

Yellow card: Kahn Fotuali'i (Tasman) - Killing the ball on 72 minutes.

Wellington: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Buxton Popoalii, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Piri Weepu (c), 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Api Naikatini, 5 Ross Filipo, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 John Schwalger, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Neemia Tialata.

Replacements: 16 Eugene Smith, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Victor Vito, 19 Scott Fuglistaller, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Tu Umaga-Marshall.

Tasman: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Kade Poki, 12 Andrew Goodman (c), 11 Afeleki Pelenise, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Jack Lam, 5 Alex Ainley, 4 Will Crutchley, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Daniel Perrin, 1 Ben May.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Daniel Hyatt, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Lualua Vailoaloa, 21 Mike Pehi, 22 James Marshall.

Referee: Matt Stanish

TMO: Bryce Lawrence