Wellington overpower Taranaki

Wellington made it two wins out of two with a 45-26 victory over Taranaki at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

The Lions have achieved a maximum of 10 points from their opening two games and are favourites for the Championship title.

Wellington stormed into a 24-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes courtesy of tries from Asafo Aumua, Ben Lam and Julian Savea.

However, Taranaki hit back with scores from Charlie Ngatai and Sean Wainui to close the gap to 24-14.

Jackson Garden-Bachop slotted back-to-back penalties before Taranaki loose forward Lachlan Boshier got his side's third.

It was all up for grabs at 30-19 before Wellington centre Regan Verney ended Taranaki hopes and Aumua grabbed his brace to add salt to the wounds.

But all was not lost for Taranaki as Waisake Naholo scored late on to secure a four-try bonus point.

The scorers: 

For Wellington:
Tries: Aumua 2, Lam, Savea, Verney
Cons: Garden-Bachop 4
Pens: Garden-Bachop 3

For Taranaki:
Tries: Ngatai, Boshier, Wainui, Naholo 
Cons: Perofeta 3

Wellington: 15 Trent Renata, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Wes Goosen, 12 Regan Varney, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 7 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 James Blackwell, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Alex Fidow, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tolu Fahamokioa
Replacements: 16 Sitiveni Paongo, 17 Vince Sakaria, 18 Joe Apikotoa, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Galu Taufale, 21 Sheridan Rangihuna, 22 Dan Kirkpatrick, 23 Malo Tuitama

Taranaki:  15 Marty McKenzie, 14 Declan O’Donnell, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Charlie Ngatai (cc), 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Toa Halifihi, 7 Adrian Wyrill, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Leon Power, 4 Leighton Price (cc), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Sione Lea, 1 Mitchell Graham
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 Brad Tucker, 20 Fin Hoeata, 21 Kylem O’Donnell, 22 Johnny Fa’auli, 23 Waisake Naholo