Rugby: Wellington score late to pip Northland

Second-five Shaun Treeby of the Lions scores a try. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington were made to battle to the end before emerging with a valuable come-from-behind 31-28 win over a feisty Northland in a fifth round ITM Cup match at Wellington today.

Beaten 41-7 by Wellington last year, Northland took the direct approach at Wellington every chance they got today to build a 25-10 lead at halftime.

All Blacks winger Rene Ranger produced a breathtaking sampling of his power and pace to set up two of Northland's tries.

His midfield burst and offload to Aaron Bancroft produced the first try then he manhandled his talented opposite Julian Savea like a rag doll before relaying the ball to flanker Dean Budd to dot down.

And suddenly, Wellington, who scored in between through hardworking centre Shaun Treeby, were staring staring at a 5-18 deficit with Northland fullback Lachie Munro also potting a penalty and a conversion.

Wellington closed the gap when Savea also showed his class to weave his way through the Northland defence for Victor Vito to score an unconverted try.

But Northland sneaked farther ahead when Budd robbed Vito of the ball and flopped over the tryline for Munro to add the extras.

Savea could not long be denied and the lanky winger put Wellington back on the rails with a try of his own early in the 55th minute after his side had weathered another series of stiff jabs from Northland.

The try of the match came not long after. First five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili wriggled and twisted like an eel past four tackles from inside his 22m and from his offload to lock Jeremy, the ball moved to Hosea Gear who then released Vito for a lenght of the field try.

Fili's conversion brought Wellington within one-point but Munro then kicked a penalty to take the score to 28-24.

Wellington's forwards took their chance in a late drive upfield to pin Northland down in deep defence, finally breaking through prop John Schwalger whose try was converted.

Munro had a chance to tie the scores in the dying minute but his kick from 35 metres was wide and Northland went home with a bonus point for finishing within seven points while Wellington took the five-point win for scoring more than four tries.

Wellington 31 (Victor Vito 2, Sean Treeby, Julian Savea, John Schwalger, tries; Fa'atonu Fili 3 con) Northland 28 (Dean Budd 2, Aaron Bancroft tries; Lachie Munro 3 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 10-25.

- NZPA