Lions can take pride

If Canterbury are the Mitre 10 Cup’s benchmark, then where does that leave Wellington?

‘‘I don’t think we’re far off. If we take our learnings on board and actually learn from them, then we’re definitely there or thereabouts,’’ Lions captain Matt Proctor said after Saturday’s 27-20 defeat in Christchurch.

Lesser teams from the capital might have folded, from 22-7 down at AMI Stadium. But newlypromoted Wellington fought back fairly well and, for want of some better execution, could well have won the match.

Up against a team who’ve won nine of the last 10 titles, that wasn’t the worst effort.

In the end, it was impressive Canterbury fullback George Bridge, who spotted a defensive mismatch against Lions prop Tolu Fahamokioa, who made the difference. Bridge stepped between Fahamokioa and replacement hooker Asafo Aumua to put Caleb Makene away for the try that Wellington couldn’t quite recover from.

In Saturday’s other clash, Waikato weren’t good enough to keep North Harbour at bay in Hamilton. Up 21-8, with 20 minutes remaining, Waikato eventually lost 29-28 to a Harbour side whose victory carried them to the top of the premiership table.

Tasman lead the premiership on points differential, from Auckland and North Harbour, by virtue of their good 45-24 win over Southland in Blenheim yesterday. Tasman were rarely troubled and really do look a fine side this year.

Auckland, meanwhile, secured a 28-12 bonus-point win over Northland, in a scrappy match in Whangarei yesterday.

Taranaki registered their first win of the competition in impressive style on Friday, beating Manawatu 41-21 in their fourth Ranfurly Shield defence of the season. The final score flattered the Turbos, who were beaten up in the set pieces and made far too many errors to mount a legitimate challenge.

A Gareth Evans-inspired Hawke’s Bay registered a fine 31-25 win over Otago in Friday’s other encounter.

Evans, the Hurricanes loose forward, played himself to a standstill as the Magpies went to the top of the championship standings.

Bay of Plenty were 22-17 winners over Counties, in Thursday’s game.

❚ Loose forwards Luke Whitelock and Ardie Savea are among seven All Blacks set to play in the Mitre 10 Cup next week.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has also cleared Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Nehe MilnerSkudder, Liam Coltman, Shannon Frizell and Tim Perry to play during the break in the Rugby Championship.