Lions maul Stags

Wellington: 60 (Malo Tuitama 2, Vaea Fifita, Greg Foe, Matt Procter, Wes Goosen, Jason Woodward, Galu Taufale, Asafo Aumua, Garden-Bachop 6 con, 1 pen) Southland: 21 (Jahvis Wallace, Wharenui Hawera, Keanu Kahukura tries; Wharenui Hawera 3 con)

Despite a sluggish start, Wellington trounced Southland to extend their winning streak to five matches.

Wellington hardly touched the ball in the first ten minutes and the visitors profited when halfback Jahvis Wallace darted in after collecting an overthrown lineout. Greg Foe missed a simple tackle.

Once Wellington won a consistent supply of possession the points flowed. The Stags struggled to contain the Lions greater physicality and leaked 38 points in the first-spell.

In the 16th minute Tomasi Palu snaffled the loose ball and linked with Jackson Garden-Bachop who put Vaea Fifita in the clear.

Bristol bound winger Jason Woodward was busy. He offloaded to Foe in the 21st minute to create a try and just before the interval beat four defenders in a 60-metre burst down the touchline following subtle hands by Peter Umaga-Jensen.

Southland employed a rush defense which exposed space in behind their line. Piercing kicks by Garden-Bachop and Mike Lealava'a respectably resulted in tries for Matt Procter and Malo Tuitama.

Reserve flanker Galu Taufale scored his first try for Wellington, pinching the ball from a scrum and lumbering 25-metres while Asafo Aumua made it four tries in two games piggybacking a rolling maul.

Wellington played with less restraint and more freedom than what they have done in 2016. A release from this week's public scrutiny over the Losi Filipo assault incident genuinely enjoyed . In truth however Southland would struggle to beat some Jubilee Cup clubs.

The Lions Who Roared

Hard to fault anybody really. James Blackwell was an unsung hero with his toil, Fifita was like a bully in a candy store. Woodward showed why he will be a big loss in the capital next year and Wes Goosen must be in contention for a full Hurricanes contract. Asafo Aumua adds palpable energy when involved. He is staking a compelling case for a starting place.

By the Numbers

Southland missed 14 tackles in the first half alone and conceded 20 turnovers in the match.
Wellington fell just a point short of achieving their biggest ever score against Southland. In 1999 the Lions beat Southland 61-3 in Invercargill. Southland haven't beaten Wellington since 2002.

Where to next?

Wellington are bound to face a sterner test at home against Taranaki next weekend, but first must meet Manawatu's challenge for the Coronation Cup in Manawatu on Wednesday.Southland play Northland in a bottom of the table clash. Brace yourselves for that one!

Teams

Wellington: 1.Haamea Ahio, 2.Leni Apisai, 3.Chris Baumann, 4.James Blackwell, 5.Sam Lousi, 6.Vaea Fifita, 7.Greg Foe, 8.Brad Shields, 9.Tomasi Palu, 10.Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11.Malo Tuitama, 12.Wes Goosen, 13.Matt Proctor, 14.Jason Woodward, 15.Peter Umaga-Jensen. Substitutes: 16.Asafo Aumua, 17.Alex Fidow, 18.Joe Apikotoa, 19.Mark Reddish, 20.Galu Taufale, 21.Sheridan Rangihuna, 22.Pakai Turia, 23.Mike Lealava'a.

Southland: 1.Joseph Walsh, 2.Jason Rutledge, 3.Guy Millar, 4.Mike Stewart, 5.Matthew Phillip, 6.Joshua Clark, 7.Tim Boys, 8.Mika Mafi, 9.Jahvis Wallace, 10.Wharenui Hawera, 11.Tauasosi Tuimavave, 12.James Schrader, 13.Kieran Moffat, 14.Keanu Kahukura , 15.Junior Ngaluafe. Substitutes: 16.Brayden Mitchell, 17.Peni Ravai, 18.Reuben Northover, 19.Mike McKee, 20.Phil Halder, 21.Greg Dyer, 22.Jimmy Cowan, 23.Aleki Morris.