Rugby: Weepu injured in Wellington victory

Piri Weepu of the Lions is stretchered off injured from the field. Photo / Getty Images

A broken leg to first five Piri Weepu marred Wellington's 49-15 bonus-point victory over Taranaki in a crucial ITM Cup match at Wellington tonight.

Weepu had his right ankle twisted as he was tackled after attempting a chip through in the 44th minute and was stretchered off.

SkySport reported during the match that Weepu had been rushed to hospital where it was confirmed he had a broken leg.

His injury will almost certainly affect the makeup of the All Blacks squad for the end of year tour for matches in Hong Kong and Europe to be named tomorrow with Wellington halfback Alby Matthewson a prime candidate to take his place.

ITM Cup standings

Taranaki have never won in Wellington but would have fancied their chances of firming up their claims of a semifinal spot given they were third in the table arriving in the capital.

Seventh-placed Wellington were meanwhile clinging on to faint hopes of making a late run at a semifinal spot with one round to go.

But strengthened by All Blacks Weepu and second five Ma'a Nonu, and bouyant after last week's 52-23 win over North Harbour, Wellington never let Taranaki establish a firm foothold on the game.

Wellington's pack led by No 8 Victor Vito, Neemia Tialata, Dane Coles and John Schwalger with able support from Jeremy Thrush and loose forwards Faifili Levave and Scott Fuglistaller, dominated the Taranaki pack.

A 17-8 lead at halftime from tries to wing Alipate Leiua, fullback Apoua Stewart and Mathewson, the last converted by Weepu, set the foundation for Wellington.

Taranaki's points came from a Wilie Ripia penalty and a fine try by second five Jayden Hayward who beat rising Wellignton wing Julian Savea.

Weepu was taken off two minutes after kicking a penalty and but his absence only served to spur Wellington on.

Centre Tajhon Mailata and Fuglistaller scored in quick succession with Weepu's young replacement Limo Sopoaga converting both.

Energetic Taranaki wing David Smith set up a converted try for fullback Scott Ireland but the Wellington defence could not be breached again.

Wellington pounded Taranaki back into deep defence again and Nonu was rewarded when he took a short pass from Sopoaga on the cutback to score Wellington's sixth try.

Taranaki's torment was not over though -- Sopoaga, enjoying the space and time behind his dominant pack then toed the ball through for substitute Charlie Ngatai to dive on and score his side's seventh try with less than a minute to go.

Wellington: 49 (Alipate Leiua, Apoua Stewart, Alby Mathewson, Tajhon Mailata, Scott Fuglistaller, Ma'a Nonu, Charlie Ngatai tries; Piri Weepu pen, con, Limo Sopoaga pen, 3 con) Taranaki 15 (Jayden Hayward, Scott Ireland tries; Willie Ripia pen, Beauden Barrett con). Halftime: 17-8.

- NZPA