Lions blast past Turbos in 2017 NPC opener

Wellington: 41 (Sheridan Rangihuna, Alex Fidow, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Trent Renata, Julian Savea, Malo Tuitama tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 con, Dan Kirkpatrick pen) Manawatu: 29 (Willy Ambaka, Curtis Reid, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jackson Hemopo, Jade Te Rure tries; Otere Black 2 con) HT 26-22

WHAT HAPPENED

A high scoring first-half saw the lead change hands multiple times and Wellington narrowly ahead 26-22 at the interval.

Discarded All Black wing Julian Savea made an instant impression when he caught Manawatu midfielder Curtis Reid horribly out of position and passed to hooker Asafo Aumua, who fended Nene Milner-Skudder and set up Sheridan Rangihuna for the opening try in the first minute.

Milner-Sudder atoned moments later with his own break which sparked front foot ball, two phases and a try for debutant Willy Ambaka.

Wellington were back on the scoresheet when prop Alex Fidow ploughed over from a fractured maul.

Reid dotted down for the Turbos from a move started by Milner-Skudder who then bagged a try himself out sprinting Savea.

Manawatu was well ahead when lock Jackson Hemopo crossed after an Ambrose Curtis break on the half-hour mark.

Wellington regrouped when Aumua busted dramatically and set up Melbourne Rebels pivot Jackson Garden-Bachop for a try.

Garden-Bachop then went beast mode casting aside Otere Black with disdain to set up Trent Renata for his first try in a Wellington jersey.

Reid was substituted at halftime and his replacement Jade Te Rure scored a try for Manawatu following an imperious scrum close to the goal line.

Wellington’s bench provided greater impact and their forwards finished stronger to eventually blunt the Turbos challenge.

Julian Savea scored in the 56th minute bumping off a defender with a vintage display of power while Malo Tuitama was more subtle diving gracefully into the corner with one minute left on the clock.

BY THE NUMBERS

Wellington reversed a 28-14 pre-season defeat to Manawatu and a 50-28 loss in the Premiership last year.

Wellington’s win was their 60th in 86 encounters with Manawatu. The Lions snapped a three-game winning streak against the Turbos prevailing for the first time since a 42-13 triumph in 2013.

WHERE TO NEXT

The Lions host Taranaki on Saturday afternoon and will have to better defensively to contain a backline that could feature All Blacks Waisake Naholo, Seta Tamanivalu and Charlie Ngatai.

THE TEAMS

Wellington: 15: Trent Renata 14: Julian Savea 13: Wes Goosen 12: Regan Verney 11: Ben Lam 10: Jackson Garden-Bachop 9: Sheridan Rangihuna 8: Brad Shields (c) 7: Du'Plessis Kirifi 6: Galu Taufale 5: James Blackwell 4: Sam Lousi 3: Alex Fidow 2: Asafo Aumua 1: Tolu Fahamokioa.
Reserves: Sitiveni Paongo, Vince Sakaria, Joe Apikotoa, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Dan Kirkpatrick, Malo Tuitama

Manawatu: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder 14 Ambrose Curtis 13 Lewis Marshall 12 Curtis Reid 11 Willy Ambaka 10 Otere Black 9 Kayne Hammington 8 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis captain, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri 6 Nick Crosswell 5 Jackson Hemopo 4 Tom Parsons 3 Sean Paranihi 2 Hunter Prescott 1 Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: 16 Tim Cadwallader 17 Tuki Raimona 18 Sione Asi 19 Liam Hallam-Eames 20 Harrison Brewer 21 Jamie Booth 22 Jade Te Rure 23 Newton Tudreu

 CLUB RUGBY LIONS MVP 

3. Asafo Aumua
2. Du'Plessis Kirifi
1. Julian Savea