Rugby: Lions charge into semifinals

John Schwalger of Wellington tries to make a break. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington secured a spot in the semifinals of the national provincial rugby championship with a gritty 27-14 win over a feisty Southland in Invercargill in their final round robin match of the season tonight.

The result saw Wellington secure 48 points to level with Taranaki who had beaten North Harbour in a 12-try fest at New Plymouth earlier in the day.

Wellington move into second on the table because they had beaten Taranaki last week.

Taranaki must now await the result of tomorrow's match between Auckland and Tasman.

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Tonight's match was played at breathtaking pace by two sides determined the run the ball deep and wide at every opportunity.

Wellington's young but dangerous backline showed their lack of experience in the midst of the frenetic pace while Southland, guided by the calming influence of first five Robbie Robinson were the slightly steadier side and deservedly took an early lead.

Wellington cracked under five minutes of sustained pressure and fullback Glen Horton crossed for a try converted by Robinson.

Wellington first five Lima Sopoaga cut the deficit with a penalty

and then his side took the lead when centre Tajhon Mailata glided down the left flank to touchdown for a converted try.

Southland were denied a try when the hooker Jason Rutledge burrowed over from a close-in ruck only for the television match official to make an inconclusive call but they got their just reward when James Wilson benefited from a kind bounce of the ball to beat fullback Apoua Stewart and score for Robinson to convert.

Wellington, with locks Jeremy Thrush and Api Naikatani, props John Schwalger and Neemia Tialata and replacement hooker Ged Robinson Dane Coles abd No 8 Victor Vito raising their games, wrested control of the forwards play off Southland.

Wellington quickly piled on 17 unanswered points in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Wing Alapati Leiua conjured an intercept try in the 42nd minute, a successful penalty attempt by Sopoaga and then an opportunistic try by Robinson who banged the ball against the upright after a forwards surge saw Wellington finally break Southland's resistance.

Wellington 27 (Tajhon Mailata, Alapati Leiua, Ged Robinson tries; Lima Sopoaga 2 pen, 3 con) Southland 14 (Glen Horton, James Wilson tries; Robbie Robinson 2 con). Halftime: 10-14

- NZPA