Lions impress but only in patches

Victorious, but hardly satisfied.

It’s perfection Wellington seek and, though impressive, yesterday’s 49-7 win over Manawatu¯ in Palmerston North didn’t meet the high standards they’ve set for themselves. Up 25-0, after five unconverted firsthalf tries, the Lions didn’t quite gain the same ascendancy in the second spell.

‘‘It was a bit patchy. We started well, which was good. That had been a big focus for us, but the wheels fell of a bit in the second half,’’ Wellington captain Matt Proctor said.

That’s almost inevitable when you run as rampant as the Lions had in the first half.

‘‘When the scoreboard’s in your favour you just maybe start pushing passes and go away from your core roles, which I think we did a little bit,’’ said Proctor. ‘‘If we stick to what we do best, and what’s getting us points, then the points will keep coming. But at times I think we go away from that.’’

You couldn’t really accuse them of that in the first 40 minutes at CET Arena.

Loose forwards Thomas Waldrom and Mateaki Kafatolu both scored tries within the opening 10 minutes. Waldrom drove over from a scrum, before Kafatolu took an inside ball from wing Losi Filipo for his fivepointer.

Manawatu¯ got back into the contest for a brief period, but an expert turnover at the breakdown from Proctor allowed Thomas UmagaJensen to score, then it was Waldrom’s turn to win the ball back on the deck. His effort was right in front of the Wellington posts and set up a spectacular try to wing Ben Lam.

The ball was shovelled in the direction of hooker Asafo Aumua, who tipped it over his head to prop Tolu Fahamokioa. He had a quick gallop before realising Lam was better equipped to go the length of the field.

The Lions completed their firsthalf scoring when lock James Blackwell ran in from 20 metres after a beautifully worked lineout move.

Typically things can get untidy in these one-sided situations, but it took the Lions just five minutes to make it 30-0.

Hooker Asafo Aumua strolled in this time and was immediately subbed, along with Fahamokioa.

The sound of referee Cam Stone’s whistle became a regular feature, but that didn’t stop Lions lock Isaia Walker-Leawere from scoring next. Trent Renata stepped up to ensure Wellington’s seventh try didn’t go unconverted.

Brice Henderson got a late try for the Turbos, but there was no hiding the gulf between the two teams as Peter Umaga-Jensen, then Lam went over at the death.