Wellington 14 Auckland 11
Auckland's unbeaten provincial rugby run came to end at the hands of a determined Wellington in an error-riddled contest tonight.
The Aucklanders dominated the second half of their Air New Zealand pool A clash but were eventually found to be guilty of more mistakes in
difficult conditions at Westpac Stadium.
Wellington, who scored both their tries in the first half to forwards Ben Herring and Ross Filipo, dominated the first spell but were starved of possession and opportunities after the break.
However, Auckland couldn't produce the attacking flair that carried them to maximum-points wins in the first four matches of the season.
That was largely due to the slippery conditions brought on by 24 hours of heavy rain in the capital.
They were also on the end of a heavy penalty count from referee Kelvin Deaker and struggled for cohesion after a swag of personnel changes.
The introduction of hooker Derren Witcombe and lock Kurtis Haiu at halftime lifted the Auckland forward effort, particularly in the set pieces, resulting in a try to flanker Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a.
However, the match was scoreless for the last half hour as Wellington played with more starch than any of their games this season.
Twenty-three minutes of Wellington territory finally paid off when flanker Herring opened the scoring after some nice runs in the buildup from All Blacks midfield backs Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Wellington's second try came near the end of the half to lock Filipo, who barged through Auckland first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea from 15m out.
Both tries were converted by Wellington first five-eighth Tamati Ellison, who otherwise struggled with the boot, missing three penalty attempts.
Auckland fullback Brent Ward kept his side in contention with penalty kicks after each of the Wellington tries, the second coming on the stroke of halftime to see his side trailling 6-14.
The visitors were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try twice early in the second spell. Wellington fullback Shannon Paku appeared to hold back winger James Somerset as he chased a loose ball over the tryline and moments later Wellington halfback Jason Spice snatched the ball from the back of an Auckland 5m attacking scrum that was marching to the line.
Their pressure paid off when Tololima-Auva'a was driven over but that was their final reason to smile.
Wellington 14 (Ben Herring, Ross Filipo tries; Tamati Ellison 2 con)
Auckland 11 (Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a try; Brent Ward 2 pen). HT: 14-6.
- NZPA
Ma'a Nonu of the Lions gets tackled by the Auckland defence. Marty Melville / Getty Images
Wellington 14 Auckland 11
Auckland's unbeaten provincial rugby run came to end at the hands of a determined Wellington in an error-riddled contest tonight.
The Aucklanders dominated the second half of their Air New Zealand pool A clash but were eventually found to be guilty of more mistakes in
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