Rugby: Waikato add to Wellington's woes

Waikato captain Liam Messam is tackled during his side's 23-18 victory over Wellington in Hamilton. Photo / Getty Images

Waikato remain alive in the Air NZ Cup rugby competition after beating Wellington 23-18 in Hamilton.

They showed the desperation and enthusiasm necessary to collect four invaluable competition points at Waikato Stadium against a Wellington side on the slide.

After a slow and hesitant start to their campaign Waikato have now improved to a four-win four-loss record, identical to Wellington.

But just as Waikato are warming to their task Wellington show every sign of going cold.

They were reliant on the goalkicking of Daniel Kirkpatrick for all of their points as they slumped to their third loss in four outings in an error-ridden display during which Waikato outmuscled them in the contact area.

Wellington's problems surfaced early as they began the game in sloppy fashion when they failed to control the kickoff.

Within one minute they found themselves 0-7 behind after Waikato prop Hikairo Forbes charged down a clearing kick from Alby Mathewson, enabled fellow front rower Latu Talakai to pick up the bouncing ball and fall over the tryline.

The creativity of Wellington loose forwards Victor Vito and Serge Lilo was no match for the more physical approach of Waikato's Liam Messam and Alex Bradley, with blindside flanker Messam injecting himself at vital times.

Messam had a direct hand in the second try, detaching from a rolling maul to direct the attack to the left where he created space for fullback Sosene Anesi to score in the 36th minute.

That gave Waikato a comfortable 20-6 advantage at the interval although first five-eighth Kirkpatrick kept Wellington in the contest when his sixth penalty left the scoreline at 20-18 with 16 minutes remaining.

Wellington began to assert more control by this stage, the heavy weight of possession in their favour tipping the balance as the match wore on.

However, they could not convert that superiority on to the scoreboard as they found themselves rebuffed by spirited Waikato defence.

Callum Bruce gave Waikato some breathing space as his third penalty edged them to a five-point lead entering the final 10min, then their forwards stole a tighthead inside their own 22 to relieve mounting pressure.

Waikato 23 (Latu Talakai, Sosene Anesi tries; Callum Bruce 3 pen, 2 con) Wellington 18 (Daniel Kirkpatrick 6 pen). Halftime: 20-6.

- NZPA