Wellington power into NPC final

9.58pm

Wellington booked a home NPC rugby final next weekend as they rode home on the back of a northerly gale and a powerful forward effort to beat Waikato 28-16 in the first semifinal here tonight.

The hosts scored four tries to one as they ended Waikato's title hopes in the wind and rain at Westpac Stadium.

The match was in the balance with Wellington 13-9 up at halftime, but turning with the wind at their backs they put it beyond doubt with two tries in five minutes midway through the second spell.

Flying winger Lome Fa'atau broke the match open in the 57th minute after captain Rodney So'oialo broke from a scrum on his own 22m line, centre Conrad Smith beat some tacklers and Fa'atau raced 50m to score in the corner.

Then Smith was rewarded for another dynamic match when he chased a towering Riki Flutey bomb which eluded Waikato fullback Isaac Boss, and pounced on the loose ball to score.

When halfback Piri Weepu slotted a penalty with 15 minutes left, Wellington were safe at 28-9 up.

Waikato hammered away at Wellington's line, but only had a solo try to first five-eighth David Hill to show for it.

Their only try was scored with seven minutes remaining.

Wellington also got by without their All Blacks loose forward Jerry Collins, after he was suspended this week for a high tackle.

Wellington had the better of possession and territory in a scrappy first half marred by dropped ball and poor kicking.

But Waikato were in the match at halftime as Hill kicked two penalties to go with flanker Liam Messam's dropped goal.

Wellington goalkicker Weepu missed his first five shots at goal in touch conditions, but two tries and a Riki Flutey dropped goal gave them the halftime advantage.

Weepu opened the scoring after just three minutes when he barged over after a powerful lineout drive.

Tialata regained Wellington the lead with a try from a maul in the final act of the first half, after Wellington turned down a shot at goal.

Wellington host the winner of tomorrow's other semifinal between Canterbury and Bay of Plenty in Christchurch.

Wellington captain So'oialo paid tribute to his tight five, led by experienced loosehead prop Joe McDonnell, who excelled in the wet.

"We wanted to dominate up front and that we did. We've got a lot of talented backs so we needed to give them quality ball."

Defence was also a key as they kept Waikato out until the game was safe in the 73rd minute.

"We back ourselves in our defence and try not to give those penalties away. They can cost you games and we've worked hard on it."

Waikato captain Jono Gibbes said there was confidence in the visitors' camp despite starting the match as outsiders.

"It's a pretty quiet changing room. Whilst everyone else had written us off, we really fancied our chances.

"It's quite disappointing, really. We didn't fire a shot and put them under pressure. They probably got an easy ride going in there."

- NZPA

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