Rugby: Wellington jolted back to earth

Wellington 24 Northland 30

There was a loud thump at WestpacTrust Stadium yesterday as Northland sent Wellington's NPC first division hopes crashing.

It was also the sound of several reputations tumbling thanks to the efforts of a committed, well-drilled and enthusiastic Northland team who beat the hosts 30-24 in their NPC first division match.

Wellington were hammered in the scrums, out tackled, upset in the rucks and lineouts and - most importantly - out thought by a Northland side who clutched each other in jubilation at the final whistle.

It is not the first time Wellington have failed to beat a team they should have put away comfortably.

It's an old habit, especially after a few good wins and just when the season's prospects are looking good.

But Wellington's season is far from over, particularly as they still have quality players like Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Kevin Yates and Kupu Vanisi to come back from injury.

But life does not get easier with a rampant Taranaki side up next on Saturday followed by Auckland, who are one of Wellington's many bogey teams.

Wellington were flat from the start as Northland ran in two tries in seven minutes, the first to livewire flanker Justin Collins from a towering bomb, the second when second five-eighth Robbie Johnson slipped past four would-be tacklers.

Yet Wellington could have won the match.

After trailing 10-20 at halftime, with wing Norm Berryman scoring a try for Northland just before the break, Wellington clawed their way back into contention.

Tries to prop Mike Edwards and wing Jonah Lomu brought them to within six points of Northland, and for most of the final 10 minutes they were camped in Northland's 22.

Skipper Norm Hewitt turned down four shots at goal, banking on Wellington's ability to score a try, but they could not breach Northland's defence.

Coach Dave Rennie might have erred in taking Lomu off in the 70th minute, replacing him with Tanner Vili, who normally plays at first five-eighth.

Lomu had played poorly.

He went missing twice in the first half when left-side breaks were made and he threw a shocking pass that Collins intercepted to put fellow flanker Brett Waaka away for a spectacular second-half try.

But Lomu scores match-winning tries and as Wellington threw themselves at Northland, his size, strength and speed was missed.

Rennie was diplomatic about the Lomu substitution, saying Lomu had felt the effects of the All Blacks long trip home from South Africa last week.



He also blamed a lack of concentration for Wellington's overall performance.

"We struggled to get things going and turned over the ball at crucial times."

- NZPA