Lions tamed again by Makos
A TOTAL lack of accuracy and patience cost Wellington any chance of beating Tasman in last night’s national provincial rugby clash at Westpac Stadium.
Both teams came into the match boasting 4-0 records and interest was high in seeing which side really deserved the hype. The answer was undoubtedly the Makos, following their comprehensive 36-17 victory.
Wellington began in frustrating fashion and continued.
If you had been coaches Earl Va’a and Richard Watt your messages from the box would have revolved around doing the basics first and then being fancy.
The Lions were too cute too early. Between that and Tasman’s intensity at the breakdown, it was little wonder the visitors led 6-5 at halftime, despite Wellington having played most of the rugby.
But for all the enterprise they showed and the half-breaks they created, Frae Wilson’s 25th minute try was all they had to show for it. Blindside flanker Vaea Fifita had set that up for the halfback, as he was being asked to do a lot.
Fifita is a freakish athlete who is able to create something Tasman 36 (Peter Samu, Kieron Fonotia, Marco Kotze, Shane Christie tries; Marty Banks 2 pen, 2 con, David Havili 2 pen) Wellington 17 (Frae Wilson, Jackson GardenBachop, Wes Goosen tries; Jonny Bentley con). HT: 6-5. Crowd: 3309. from nothing.
But Wellington’s attempts to bring him into play smacked of a team more interested in miracle tries, than well-constructed ones. Wellington’s cause was hardly helped by second fiveeighth Shaun Treeby limping off after 36 minutes.
He had just about been their best player in the first half and his departure followed the 33rd minute one of fullback Cory Jane (hip).
The bulk of the Lions’ experience is in the pack and losing their only two well-established backs, in Jane and Treeby, left a lot resting on the shoulders of first five-eighth Jonny Bentley.
This might have been just his fifth game for the Lions, but Bentley was suddenly the senior backline pro.
He kicked 0/3 in the first half but soon nailed a sideline conversion to put Wellington 12-6 up.
Jackson Garden-Bachop, on for Jane at fullback, had wriggled over to score following the sort of patient build-up that had been beyond the Lions in the opening 40.
Their lead was short-lived, as Tasman flanker Peter Samu became the first player to cross Wellington’s line. He broke away to dot down unopposed and, with first five-eighth Marty Banks having kicked a perfect 3/3, the Makos were 13-12 up.
Tasman hadn’t done anything especially flash but they had been very effective and deserved to be in front.
David Havili stepped up for Banks to easily kick a 58th minute penalty from roughly 50 metres to extend their lead to 16-12. Wellington really were going to have to pull their fingers out, particularly at the breakdown. It’s all very well to shift the ball, but a bit daft if you can’t get people to wide rucks to recycle it.
Once Tasman centre Kieron Fonotia beat Bentley on his way to scoring the try that made it 21-12 after 62 minutes, the Lions looked done. And they were, six minutes later.
For the umpteenth time, the Lions looked for the most highrisk way to do something. This time it was clearing the ball to safety, near their 22.
They made another meal of it, Tasman hooker Quentin MacDonald picked up the dregs and replacement Marco Kotze galloped over to score. Banks’ conversion made it 28-12.
Makos captain Shane Christie completed the scoring and his team’s second rout over Wellington at Westpac Stadium in as many seasons.