Dynamic Lions maul Canterbury
The dynamic Wellington Lions earned a 37-28 bonus-point win over Canterbury in their NPC Round Four clash ion Wednesday.
In an excellent team performance in Wellington the Lions came back from conceding a try from the opening kick-off and an immediate 0-7 deficit, and then from 3-14 down midway through the first half, to blast past Canterbury.
In an emphatic period - between the 18th and 71st minutes - the Lions turned the contest on its head by scoring 34 unanswered points to race to a 37-14 lead.
In a positive, open paced match, Canterbury never gave up and they closed the margin back up with a pair of consolation tries at the end.
The Lions scored four well-engineered tries through inside centre Michael Hobbs, openside flank Scott Fuglistaller, No.8 Victor Vito and replacement scrumhalf Frae Wilson.
Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga added 17 points off the kicking tee, including all four conversions and three penalties.
A feature of the win was a strong forwards effort and spirited defence throughout, Vito, loosehead prop Jacob Ellison and hooker Dane Coles in his 50th game for Wellington all leading the way.
* In the other match on Wednesday Taranaki maintained their ability to come from behind in games when claiming a 23-16 win over Northland at Whangarei.
Both teams had chances to take a significant hold on the game, but determined defence from both sides kept the contest close and it was all the more entertaining because of that.
All Wednesday's results and scorers:
Wellington 37-28 Canterbury
Scorers:
For Wellington:
Tries: Hobbs, Fuglistaller, Vito, Wilson
Cons: Sopoaga 4
Pens: Sopoaga 3
For Canterbury:
Tries: Fruean, Taylor, Laulala, Funnell
Cons: Taylor, Bleyendaal 2
Teams:
Wellington: 15 Apoua Stewart, 14 Jason Woodward, 13 Alipate Leiua, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush (captain), 3 Whetu Henry, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Jacob Ellison.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Arden David-Perrot, 18 Api Naikatini, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Dean Brunsdon, 21 Frae Wilson, 22 Michael Lealava'a, 23 Reg Goodes.
Canterbury: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Matt Thatcher, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Mark Swanepoel, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Ash Parker (captain), 5 Joel Everson, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Andrew Olorenshaw, 2 Paul Ngauamo, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Nepo Laulala, 18 Reuben Thorne, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Takerei Norton, 22 Robbie Flynn, 23 Sam Cottam.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Northland 16-23 Taranaki
Scorers:
For Northland:
Try: Bancroft
Con: Munro
Pens: Munro 3
For Taranaki:
Tries: Hayward, Corlett, Schwalger
Con: Barrett
Pens: Barrett 2
Teams:
Northland: 15 Jared Payne (captain), 14 Lachie Munro, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Aaron Bancroft, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Jack McPhee, 9 Rhyan Caine, 8 Cameron Eyre, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Joel McKenty, 5 Bryce Williams, 4 Mark Burman, 3 Scott Vessey, 2 Ross Wright, 1 Justin Davies.
Replacements: 16 Tim Dow, 17 Jamie Corsi, 18 Dan Faleafa, 19 Cam Goodhue, 20 Wayne Ngaluafe, 21 Ash Moeke, 22 Simon Munro, 23 Aterea Davis.
Taranaki: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Isaia Tuifua, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Jackson Ormond, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Ben Souness, 5 Craig Clarke (captain), 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Carl Carmichael.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Chris Walker, 20 Brett Goodin, 21 Jack Cameron, 22 George Pisi, 23 Willie Ioane.
Referee: Shaun Elliott