Lions roar past Taranaki

Wellington put in a clinical ITM Cup display that led to an impressive 49-15 win over Taranaki at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Wellington put in a clinical ITM Cup display that led to an impressive 49-15 win over Taranaki at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

By bagging maximum points, the Lions did exactly what they needed to in order to keep their top seven hopes alive.

Wellington scored seven tries and grabbed a second consecutive bonus point victory to leap to 38 competition points and a shot at the play-offs next week.

The Lions head to Invercargill to play Southland for a hopeful semi-final spot in their last round-robin encounter next Saturday.

Wellington's win against Taranaki, in blustery conditions, was built on another hugely committed forwards effort complemented by some wonderful attacking passages that had the visitors on the back foot throughout much of the contest.

The home side's tries were scored by seven different scorers, with Alipati Leiua, Apoua Stewart, Alby Mathewson, Tajhon Mailata, Scott Fuglistaller, Ma'a Nonu and Charlie Ngatai all finding the whitewash.

The scorers:

For Wellington:
Tries: Leiua, Stewart, Mathewson, Mailata, Fuglistaller, Nonu, Ngatai
Cons: Weepu, Sopoaga 3
Pens: Weepu, Sopoaga

For Taranaki:
Tries: Hayward, Ireland
Con: Barrett
Pen: Ripia

Wellington: 15 Apoua Stewart, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Tajhon Mailata, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear/Alapati Leiua, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Dane Coles, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Reg Goodes, 18 Brad Shields, 19 Dean Brunsdon, 20 Lima Sopoaga, 21 Charlie Ngatai, 22 Alapati Leiua/Buxton Popoalii.

Taranaki: 15 Scott Ireland, 14 Kylem O'Donnell, 13 George Pisi, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Goodin, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Johnny Willis, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Craig Clarke (c), 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Shane Cleaver.
Replacements: 16 Timo Tutavaha, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Ben Souness/Kane Barrett, , 19 Chris Walker, 20 Brett Goodin/Kylem O'Donnell, 21 Beauden Barrett.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence