Wellington leave it late
Wellington were made to work for their 28-19 Air New Zealand Cup semi-final win over Southland at Westpac Stadium on Friday, a result that secures the Lions a home final next weekend.
Wellington were made to work for their 28-19 Air New Zealand Cup semi-final win over Southland at Westpac Stadium on Friday, a result that secures the Lions a home final next weekend.
A determined Southland outfit never gave an inch and at one stage, threatened to cause a massive upset when leading the match with just ten minutes left to play.
However a piece of invidual brilliance from the home side's try-scoring machine Hosea Gear, put Wellington back in front while a try to replacement Conrad Smith sealed the Stags' fate.
The end result truly had no reflection on how the game panned out, and while a nine-point deficit seems like a reasonably comfortable victory, it was far from it.
In fact, the Lions as well as their fans will be breathing a sigh of relief after this encounter which so nearly could have ended in tears.
Gutsy defence from the visitors was their main attribute at keeping Wellington at bay, while on attack, the Stags looked dangerous with ball in hand but never really threatened their hosts' line.
Wellington's woes since lifting the Ranfurly Shield three weeks ago continued in the capital with far too many turnovers and handling errors that invited Southland to ruin their party.
The Lions will need to get it together quickly if they are to have any chance in the Final next week Saturday – whether it be against Canterbury or Hawke's Bay.
Southland drew first blood on the score sheet after fly-half Blair Stewart slotted a penalty from a tight angle on the Wellington 22, after just four minutes played.
The lead wasn't to last though, and it was the ever-present wing Gear who continued his phenomenal try-scoring streak to give the home side the lead on seven minutes.
The wily winger managed to ghost his way through a gap in the Southland back-line, and had the pace to beat the full-back as well as an attempted covering tackle from Jimmy Cowan for a remarkable try in the corner.
His achievement broke Bernie Fraser's 27-year provincial try-scoring record.
Piri Weepu was unable to add the extras from the touchline, but Wellington were on the board and looking dangerous.
But that's where it started and ended for the hosts as one mistake led to another, ruining any sort of momentum and rhythm that certainly wasn't helped by some unrelenting big hits from Southland.
The visitors were forced to make an early replacement when winger Matt Saunders was forced from the field with an elbow injury
The news got worse for Southland in the 20th minute when Willie Rickards, who was brought on to replace Saunders, was sin-binned for being offside with Wellington on attack.
However, the Lions still failed to break the fourteen-man defence and had to resort to a Weepu penalty for their next points after full-back Cory Jane was taken out off the ball by prop Chris King.
With one man already serving ten minutes in the bin, Southland would have considered the three points against them a blessing rather than having another player sent off.
Weepu's penalty took his side 8-3 in front after 26 minutes played and even with the Lions dominating territory and possession, the match was still anyone's for the taking.
A rare occurrence then followed, when match referee Steve Walsh retired from the game hurt after taking not one, but two knocks during the course of play. The whistle was taken over by touch judge Kelvin Deaker, and play continued while Walsh hobbled away to his changing room.
Immediately Southland were rewarded a penalty, but Stewart failed to take advantage in an attempt that would have taken his personal tally to three figures for the season.
His opposite number was more accurate though, with Weepu nailing a regulation penalty through the sticks three minutes before the break that extended his team's lead to 11-3.
It could have been far worse for Southland after an intercept on the stroke of full-time was cancelled out by a desperate chase by Cowan who was able to shepherd the ball over the Stags' dead-ball line.
Southland started the second half with the intensity of a side that was clearly playing for their season, an attitude that was rewarded with a penalty from Stewart in the 43rd minute.
Wellington flanker Chris Masoe struck back for his team with a strong charge down the left-hand touchline that had him cross over in the corner. But the TMO correctly ruled that a foot had strayed into touch.
It was Southland who struck the next blow though, with Stewart showing great vision to loft a perfectly weighted kick in behind the Lions defence. Number eight David Hall was able to snap the ball up, with his subsequent offload finding winger Pehi Te Whare who galloped home to tie up the scores.
Stewart was unable to add the simple conversion, leaving the sides deadlocked at 11-11. Game on!
The Southland pivot did manage to make amends four minutes later with a penalty shot that sailed between the uprights and, more importantly, took his side into the lead with twenty minutes of the match remaining.
Wellington, looking shell-shocked, powered their way back inside Southland territory and did enough to work replacement prop Jacob Ellison over the line. But the TMO, who had a busy night, ruled that the Lions' forward was held up.
The ensuing five metre scrum still threatened a score with Thomas Waldrom controlling things at the base, but a mix-up led to Cowan snapping up the loose ball and clearing his line in what was thought to be a brilliant survival.
However, a quick line-out saw the ball flung to that man Gear who stepped inside and out, before cracking on the pace that took him inches short of the line. He wasn't done yet though, a half-hearted tackle allowed Gear's momentum to pick himself up and slam the ball down for another scintillating score.
With the crowd in raptures, Weepu added two more points with his conversion and the Lions looked to be on their way.
This was further compounded when Smith was on hand to take an offload from Gear (who else?), following a trademark counter-attack from Wellington off turnover ball. Hooker Dane Coles threw a beautifully timed floating pass to the dangerous wing, who flew down the touchline on his way to what would have been a hat-trick.
Stopped in his tracks, Gear managed to get his pass away to the supporting Smith for the match winner, as Weepu's conversion hammered the final nail into the Stag's coffin.
However, the spirited visitors never gave up and their never-say-die attitude was rewarded with a consolation try to replacement hooker Matt Holloway on the final hooter.
The scorers:
For Wellington:
Tries: Gear 2, Smith
Cons: Weepu 2
Pens: Weepu 3
For Southland:
Tries: Te Whare, Holloway
Pens: Stewart 3
Yellow card: Rickards (Southland, 19 min)
Wellington: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Ma'a Nonu, 13 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 12 Tamati Ellison,