The Lions have found heart
‘‘I think we learned a bit of resilience tonight. ’’
The significance wasn’t lost on Brad Shields.
It’s 2013 since Wellington last beat Manawatu and that inglorious run of defeats didn’t look in danger of coming to an end, at CET Stadium on Sunday night. The home town Turbos were up 29-26 midway through the second spell in Palmerston North and appeared poised to push on for yet another win over their southern neighbours.
Shields knows what it’s like to watch Wellington lose. In his first year as captain, back in 2014, the Lions won just the once.
So star turns from first fiveeighth Jackson Garden-Bachop, hooker Asafo Aumua, fullback Trent Renata and some encouraging signs from wing Julian Savea almost passed the Lions’ skipper by on Sunday. He was searching for signs of heart and was happy to report he’d found them as Wellington went on to produce a useful 41-29 win.
‘‘I think we learned a bit of resilience tonight and it’s good to learn early on. We let them off the hook in the first half but we’re pretty happy with how we’ve come together in only a week,’’ Shields said.
‘‘We haven’t beaten them for four years so - first time - we’re pretty stoked with that, it’s pretty hard to come up here. Just happy with the way we came together after a short time together; the guys who played the pre-season games led the way this week and us Super boys kind of sat back and enjoyed playing.
‘‘Pretty happy with the win and it’s a good stepping stone heading into next week and Taranaki.’’
Wellington had trailed 22-12 after half an hour and you wondered if they’d have the gumption to get up and make a contest of things. But tries to GardenBachop and Renata saw them go into halftime 26-22 up, following earlier five-pointers to halfback Sheridan Rangihuna and tighthead prop Alex Fidow.
Aumua was a real menace with ball in hand and GardenBachop an occasional running threat too. Around that, though, was some pretty sloppy set piece and defensive work, typical of a team just working out how to play together.
Fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder was at the heart of many of the good things Manawatu contributed to the match and, with their scrum beginning to hold sway, replacement Jade Te Rure was able to score from close range. But that was that.
Savea scored after good work by the blokes inside him, replace- ment Dan Kirkpatrick kicked a penalty and Malo Tuitama came off the bench to cross for the game’s final try.
It had been an exciting, occasionally inaccurate game, which indicated both teams have a bit to work with in 2017. For Wellington, the result was important.
‘‘We want to build confidence, we don’t want to get complacent, it’s only one game. But to come together after basically a week and learn a bit of resilience is good, but it doesn’t stop there. It’s only one out of 10, so hopefully we can get to that tenth game and end up in the premiership next year,’’ said Shields.
(Sheridan Rangihuna, Alex Fidow, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Trent Renata, Julian Savea, Malo Tuitama tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 con, Dan Kirkpatrick pen)
(Willy Ambaka, Curtis Reid, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jackson Hemopo, Jade Te Rure tries; Otere Black 2 con). HT: 26-22.
29 Wellington 41 Manawatu