Try for Wellington: Jeremy Thrush
Winger Matt Proctor scored a hat-trick as a rampant Wellington brushed aside Otago 49-22 at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
The 19-year-old was a late inclusion in the starting line-up following fly-half Lima Sopoaga's withdrawal, and he made the most of his opportunity as he ran in two tries before the half-time break and then completed his hat-trick 20 minutes before the full-time whistle.
Otago, who scored three tries to the seven from the visitors, missed countless of tackles, were outmuscled and beaten in just about every department.
Proctor beat three players to open the scoring after just five minutes with Jason Woodward adding the extras.
Otago barely had time to regain their composure and they were already 21-0 down after 15 minutes as loose-forward Ardie Savea and captain Jeremy Thrush both crashed over for easy tries with Woodward keeping his perfect record.
Wellington wrapped up the bonus point after only 20 minutes when Savea fed half-back Frae Wilson.
Otago finally managed to get their act together eight minutes later when some ill-discipline from the visitors resulted in a penalty being put out close to the line. Tom Franklin crashed over after good work from the forwards.
Wellington, though, had the last laugh in the first-half as Proctor's second gave them a 35-10 lead at the break.
Woodward, who contributed 19 points, scored early in the second half while Proctor completed his hat-trick on 60 minutes.
Otago finished the stronger as substitutes TJ Ioane and Shota Horie both crossed to add some respectability to the scoreline.
The victory helps Wellington to move five points clear of Canterbury at teh top of the table while Otago stay second in the second-tier Championship division.
The scorers:
For Otago:
Tries: Franklin, Ioane, Horie
Cons: Parker 2
Pens: Parker
For Wellington:
Tries: Proctor 3, Savea, Thrush, Wilson, Woodward
Cons: Woodward 7
Otago: 15 Tony Ensor, 14 Marshall Suckling, 13 Jayden Spence, 12 Glenn Dickson (c), 11 Buxton Popoali'i, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Hugh Blake, 6 Lee Allan, 5 Rob Verbakel, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Hisa Sasagi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Justin Ives, 19 TJ Ioane, 20 Brad Weber, 21 Peter Breen, 22 Adam Hill.
Wellington: 15 Charlie Ngatai, 14 Matt Proctor, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Jason Woodward, 10 Tim Bateman, 9 Frae Wilson, 8 Genesis Mamea, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Ross Filipo, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush (c), 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Eric Sione, 18 Arden David-Perrot, 19 Kaipati Gaualofa, 20 Kayne Hammington, 21 Alapati Leiua, 22 Scott Fuglistaller.
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