Auckland beat Wellington in NPC clash

Auckland hit the acceleration switch immediately after halftime as they beat Wellington 29-22 in the NPC first division match in Auckland tonight.

Down 6-8 at halftime, Auckland's high octane approach to the game was rewarded as they scorched ahead 20-8 within 11 minutes of the restart at Eden Park.

They later withstood a comeback from the Wellingtonians, whose wingers Lome Fa'atau and Ma'a Nonu accounted for their three tries, to set the stage for a classic Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury next Saturday.

Denied possession for large portions of the first half, the Aucklanders suddenly found their fuel supply replenished in the opening exchanges after the interval as loose forwards Daniel Braid and Brad Mika scored quickfire tries to change the complexion of the match.

Braid's came after a concerted period of attack when Auckland refused the let the ball die, while converted lock Mika looked the part in the No 8's jersey as he casually stooped down to pick the ball up at a ruck and then sauntered 20m to the tryline.

With fullback Brent Ward -- who finished with a personal haul of 19 points -- converting both tries, Auckland were in a position of control although Wellington struck back when Nonu was directed to the tryline in the 62nd minute by substitute fullback Tamati Ellison.

Ellison beat two tacklers before drawing Ward to send Nonu away, and Jimmy Gopperth's conversion trimmed the difference to five points.

Ward gave his side come breathing space by landing a penalty in the 66th minute to make it 23-15 and he was at it again three minutes later to stretch Auckland's advantage to 26-15.

They were then primed to deliver the knockout blow five minutes from fulltime before the ball spilled free for Fa'atau, who scored a long-range converted try as Wellington fought back to 22-26.

The difference was again seven just one minute later when Ward landed his fifth penalty after a ruck infringement.

The early signs were not good for Auckland as the visitors monopolised possession for the opening quarter, by which stage Wellington led 8-0 after a penalty to Gopperth and a try to Fa'atau.

It was a classic try, with Fa'atau running on to a wonderful chip ahead by fullback Shannon Paku after he ran through a hole before putting the ball in behind the defence.

Paku paid for his efforts though, being forced to leave the field when he was felled in a heavy tackle by Ward.

The Wellington forwards were all over their opponents at this point, but Auckland slowly worked their way back into the game and Ward's second penalty on the brink of halftime dragged them to within two points.

Wellington lost a second player during the interval with Thomas Waldrom coming on for flanker Ben Herring, who injured an ankle immediately before the break.

The result confirmed a home semifinal for Auckland while Wellington were left to sweat on their last round robin match next Friday as well as the results of other games, which need to go their way.

Score:
Auckland 29 (Daniel Braid, Brad Mika tries; Brent Ward 5 pen, 2 con) Wellington 22 (Lome Fa'atau 2, Ma'a Nonu tries; Jimmy Gopperth pen, 2 con). Halftime: 6-8.

- NZPA