Wellington reaffirmed their title credentials while powerhouse flanker Victor Vito reaffirmed his All Black potential as the home side cruised to victory over Bay of Plenty in the capital yesterday.
A hat-trick of tries to left wing Hosea Gear helped propel Wellington to their fifth successive win butit was Vito who stole the show with a second-half brace.
The match between the only unbeaten teams after four rounds became a one-sided contest when Wellington lifted a gear in the second half to score five tries in 21 minutes.
With their tight five rock solid and the loosies dominating, Wellington halfback Alby Mathewson had the time and space to dictate matters until he was substituted midway through the second half.
Bay of Plenty had their chances but lacked the class to finish off the Lions on the few occasions they were vulnerable.
Both teams endeavoured to move the ball wide, with the home side's well-organised defence and individual skills with ball in hand giving them the edge.
Wellington fullback Cory Jane scored the opening try in the 25th minute after Mathewson combined with his loose forwards to initiate an attack from a scrum.
Bay of Plenty responded seven minutes later after a long, floating pass from halfback Jamie Nutbrown found an unmarked Zar Lawrence.
Wellington had the last say of the spell, Gear showing clever footwork on his way to the tryline five minutes before the interval.
Bay of Plenty had the better of the early exchanges after the break, but Wellington underlined their potency with two tries to Gear within two minutes to effectively seal the outcome and grab their fifth bonus point of the season.
Gear could have had his fourth try in the 60th minute but unselfishly offloaded for Tane Tu'ipulotu to score after Jane initiated an attack with a clever chip and regather.
Wellington refused to let up, ramming home their superiority with a pair of tries to Vito, the second of them when he detached from a scrum close to the line.
With that sort of form, it might not be too long before the lion on his black jersey is replaced with a silver fern.
Four minutes from fulltime, Nutbrown scored Bay of Plenty's second try.
Wellington 48 (H. Gear 3, V. Vito 2, C. Jane, T. Tu'ipulotu tries; P. Weepu pen, 5 cons) Bay of Plenty 12 (Z. Lawrence, J. Nutbrown tries; M. Delany con). HT: 15-5.
