Aumua steamrolls Taranaki on Old Timers' Day

Wellinton Lions captain Brad Shields with the John F Henning Trophy after their win over Taranaki.

Wellington: 42 (Asafo Aumua 2, Ben Lam, Julian Savea, Regan Verney tries; Jackson Garden 3 con, 3 pen, Dan Kirkpatrick con) Taranaki: 26 (Charlie Ngatai, Sean Wainui, Lachlan Boshier, Waisake Naholo tries; Stephen Perofeta 3 con). HT: 27-14.

WHAT HAPPENED

Wellington surged ahead 24-0 with some dynamic and polished rugby. Asafo Aumua fended off Leighton Price and burst 25-metres for the opening try.

Ben Lam outpaced the defense after a long ball by Jackson Garden-Bachop put Wes Goosen in space with an overlap for the second and a similar pass to the opposite wing by Du'Plessis-Kirifi released Julian Savea who regathered his own chip kick stylishly.

Taranaki finally built some momentum and midfielders Charlie Ngatai and Sean Wainui sailed through gaping holes to reduce the deficit to 27-14 at the break.

Garden-Bachop again punished the visitors ill-discipline with a third penalty, before Taranaki scored their third try in the 54th minute. Lachlan Boshier profited supporting a 30-metre dart by Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

Any prospects of a rousing comeback were emphatically shattered in the 64th minute by Aumua. Taranaki charged down a Wellington clearance resulting in a favourable bounce for the hosts. Wes Goosen snipped short side and chipped ahead for Aumua who gathered and bumped aside Declan O’Donnell three times in an electrifying showcase of speed and power.

THE LIONS WHO ROARED

Asafo Aumua was rampant and hit his jumpers in the lineouts. Tolu Fahamokioa and Teariki Ben-Nicholas opened with gusto. Kirifi impressed again, Goosen rarely takes the wrong option and Savea scored a vintage try.

BY THE NUMBERS

The tackle count was 51-15 against Taranaki after 30 minutes.

Wellington scored their 120th win in 170 games against Taranaki.

Wellington have won consecutive games for the first time since September 30. A 60-21 win that night was the fifth on the trot in 2016.

Aumua has scored 9 tries in 12 games for the Lions. His brother Chris Aumua scored two tries for St Pats Silverstream in their 50-22 win in the Hurricanes Regional semi-final against Palmerston North today as well!

WHERE TO NEXT

Wellington travel to Rotorua on Thursday to tackle Bay of Plenty. This is a match the Lions should win at the International Stadium. Today was a major step forward in terms of tactics and continuity. Taranaki host Counties in New Plymouth with both teams looking to bounce back from defeats and record their second win of the season.

CLUB RUGBY LIONS MVP

3. Asafo Aumua
2. Wes Goosen
1. Tolu Fahamokioa.

Points after two matches:

6. Asafo Aumua

2. Du'Plessis Kirifi, Wes Goosen

1. Julian Savea Tolu Fahamokioa 

THE TEAMS

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

Taranaki (15-1): Marty McKenzie, Declan O'Donnell, Sean Wainui, Charlie Ngatai, Seta Tamanivalu, Stephen Perofeta, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Toa Halafihi, Adrian Wyrill, Lachlan Boshier, Leon Power, Leighton Price, Angua Ta'avao, Sione Lea, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jared Proffit, Mike Kainga, Brad Tucker, Fin Hoeata, Kylem O'Donnell, Johnny Fa'auli, Waisake Naholo.