Wellington smash Auckland to earn final shot
Wellington have earned the chance to be crowned NPC champions for the first time in 22 years.
The Lions scored eight tries to sweep aside Auckland in last night’s semifinal at Sky Stadium, setting up a final with either Canterbury or Bay of Plenty.
It was the first time Wellington had scored 50 points against Auckland, and if they win next weekend, adding the NPC title to the Ranfurly Shield will end a painful drought.
Since winning in 2000, they have lost eight finals. Their only success in that time came in the second-tier Championship in 2017. Four of Wellington’s defeats were to Canterbury, so they would be forgiven for cheering on the Steamers tonight.
The second semifinal will also determine home advantage and
Wellington are unlikely to relish a potential trip to Christchurch, where they lost 43-10 two months ago.
But the Lions have now won nine in a row, including a Ranfurly Shield triumph last month and a close quarter-final victory last weekend, both against Hawke’s Bay.
Last night’s win must count as their most impressive. The hosts jumped out to a 26-7 halftime lead against Auckland, as Jackson GardenBachop had a hand in three tries before scoring the fourth himself.
Julian Savea rumbled over in the corner for the first, before Riley Higgins collected a clever GardenBachop kick over the top after Wellington’s scrum had demolished Auckland on their own feed. Asafo Aumua scored his side’s third and GardenBachop completed a dream start when he cut through the defence after an errant Auckland lineout.
The visitors achieved parity in possession and territory but, in addition to their set-piece woes, missed far too many tackles to remain in touch.
Tries for Niko Jones and Jackson Pugh either side of the break saw Auckland pull within 12 points but that just seemed to inspire Wellington.
TJ Perenara’s 56th-minute try flung open the floodgates, with Pepesana Patafilo then dotting down before Higgins completed his brace and Ruben Love crossed to help his side crack the half century.
Wellington will now await their next opponents confident of at last clearing the final hurdle. Wellington 54 ( Julian Savea, Riley Higgins 2, Asafo Aumua, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Perenara, Pepesana Patafilo, Ruben Love tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 5 cons, Aidan Morgan 2 cons)
Auckland 19 (Niko Jones, Jackson Pugh, Patrick Tuipulotu tries; Harry Plummer 2 cons)
Halftime: 26-7