Rugby: Wellington close in on home semifinal

Wellington's Victor Vito on the charge against North Harbour at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington 37
North Harbour 13

Wellington stayed on track for an Air NZ Cup home rugby semifinal by beating North Harbour 37-13 in Wellington.

The result lifted Wellington from fourth to second place and means they can nail down a home playoff by beating Tasman in Blenheim next week.

But it was far from vintage Wellington today as North Harbour exposed some frailties in their forward play which meant the home side struggled to achieve the dominance sought.

North Harbour entered the game with little to recommend them, sitting in 10th place after a disappointing campaign.

They seemed to thrive in the spoilers' role until Wellington upped their intensity and accuracy in the third quarter.

Neither side could impose themselves in the first spell, which ended with the scores locked at 13-13 with one try apiece.

Wellington looked more dangerous when they used the full width of the field but their forwards were unable to deliver the quality of ball sought by their backs.

North Harbour had the better of the forward exchanges and after conceding two early penalties to Wellington first five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili, who went on to land seven-from-seven in a 17-point haul, the visitors increasingly made the play.

They hit the front midway through the half against the run of play when a loose pass was scooped up by North Harbour second five-eighth Andrew Mailei near his own 22.

With the Wellington defenders out of position Mailei made easy metres to halfway where he unleashed wing Nafi Tuitavake on an impeded run to the tryline.

North Harbour were strong on defence around the fringes, although it was where Wellington scored their opening try when lock and captain Jacob Ellison barrelled over from short range after a concerted build up 3min before the interval.

Mike Harris then landed a 49m penalty for North Harbour to draw level immediately before the break.

Wellington got on top in the third quarter, a quality try to wing Alapati Leuia and a later short-range effort from second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu making the game safe for the hosts.

Leuia was on the end of some crisp handling from his insides, including a big cutout pass from Nonu to fullback Cory Jane, which gave the wing the room he needed.

Nonu's try came after No 8 Rodney So'oialo and substitute halfback Alby Mathewson combined from a scrum near the line, then a break by Jane and good link play by So'oialo saw wing Hosea Gear cross for the bonus-point fourth try in the 68th minute.

Mathewson was introduced by Wellington coach Jamie Joseph in the 52nd minute to replace Piri Weepu, having his first outing for some time due to an ankle injury.

Weepu had a busy match and did not appear to be hindered by the injury although only time will tell whether it impacts on his hopes to make the All Blacks tour party being named tomorrow for the end-of-season tour to Japan, Italy, France and Britain.

Wellington 37 (Jacob Ellison, Alipate Leuia, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear tries; Fa'atonu Fili 3 pen, 4 con) North Harbour 13 (Nafi Tuitavake try; Mike Harris 2 pen, con). Halftime: 13-13

- NZPA