Wellington XV defeats Tasman Makos in NPC pre-season match

Wellington: 41 (Jackson Garden-Bachop 2, Wes Goosen, Greg Foe, Asafo Aumua, Jonathan Fuimaono, Peter Umaga-Jensen tries; Garden-Bachop 2 con, Pakai Turia 1 con) Tasman: 12 (Alex Nankivell, Andrew Knewstubb tries; Knewstubb con)

A Wellington XV has won their first pre-season National Provincial Championship clash 41-12 over a Tasman selection at a breezy but fine Evans Pay Park in Wellington this afternoon.

Wellington scored the first three tries of the first-half and the first four of the second as they achieved a comfortable victory.

With Jonathan Bentley absent and TJ Va'a injured much speculation has surrounded who will play first-five for Wellington this season. Jackson Garden-Bachop has emerged as the strongest contender after today. The Northern United pivot scored the first two tries and set up the third as he made an indelible impression in the opening 40 minutes. He also kicked well in general play and moved to fullback in the second half.

Wellington's first try was the result of multiple phase play which saw the ball shirted quickly and accurately to both edges and Tasman caught short.

Garden-Bachop's second try was a great solo effort. He dummied and dashed past two defenders and sped 25-metres to the corner.

A feature of Garden-Bachop's play was his slick distribution. A bullet pass put centre Wes Goosen in for try number three and it was 19-0.

Tasman second-five-eighth Alex Nankivell caught a cross-kick on the wing to put the visitors on the board and it was 19-5 at the break.

Poneke openside flanker Greg Foe snatched an intercept and sprinted 40-metres to open the scoring in the second-half.

Wellington was able to go to the bench early and strong cameos from tight forwards Asafo Aumua and Jonathan Fuimaono were awarded when each scored a try using their size and barge over from close range.

Peter Umaga-Jensen was lively seeking work from fullback. He broke the first tackle often and scored the final try supporting a break on the wing.

Poneke's blindside Galu Taufale had a strong game carrying on his strong form in the Jubilee Cup.

Wellington plays its next warm-up game against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Sunday.

The teams were (from):

Wellington: Asafo Aumua (Avalon), Joe Apikotoa, James O'Reilly (Hutt Old Boys Marist), Vince Sakaria (Marist St Pats), Jackson Garden Bachop (Northern United), Jonathon Fuimaono, Will Mangos, Tomasi Palu, Wes Goosen, Joe Hill (Old Boys University), Kane Leaupepe, Alex Fidow (Oriental-Rongotai), Losi Filipo (Petone), Isaia Walker-Leawere, Galu Taufale, Greg Foe, Pakai Turia (Poneke), Shaun Treeby (Tawa), Mike Lealava'a, Peter Umaga Jensen (Wainuiomata), Sam Gardner, Alex Dalzell, Adam Deck, Matt Goosen (Wellington)

Tasman: Richard Kingi, Te Puoho Stephens, Amos Pongia, Alex Nankivell, Tima Faingaanuku, Mitch Hunt, Finlay Christie, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Vernon Fredericks (c), Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Jeff Lepa, Blair Prinsep, Jesse MacDonald, Tom Hill; reserves:  Andrew Makalio, Drew Petelo, Inoke Latu, Pari Pari Parkinson, Braden Stewart, Billy Guyton, Andrew Knewstubb, TC Campbell.