Wellington defeat Tasman in capital downpour

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IN THE WET: Wellington's Shaun Treeby tries to force his way through the tackle of Tasman lock Chris Jack (No 4) and a team-mate during their ITM Cup match in atrocious conditions.

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Wellington's attacking firepower was blunted by the weather gods but they still beat Tasman 20-11 in a dour ITM Cup rugby match in the capital.

The final game of the opening round was spoiled by rain which grew heavier as the match wore on but Wellington ensured they weren't washed away in an upset with three tries over the middle period effectively sealing their fifth win from five trans-Cook Strait fixtures.

The tries were needed as first five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili had a treacherous day kicking for goal, landing two from seven.

His team trailing 8-3, Wellington hooker Dane Coles levelled the score when he burrowed over on the half hour. Fellow-Hurricanes tight forward Jeremy Thrush jinked over for the second in a decisive moment on the stroke of halftime.

In one of the few scintillating acts, 19-year-old winger Julian Savea sprinted 40m and stepped inside Tasman fullback Robbie Malneek to score and show why he was recently named under-20 world player of the year.

They didn't score over a dire final half hour, although they looked the better side when employing pick-and-go tactics - particularly into a healthy wind in the first spell.

The only late points coming via a second penalty goal to Tasman halfback Steve Alfeld.

Their sole try was scored by Malneek after 10min when winger Afeleki Pelenise was put outside an out-of-position Savea.

The visitors' early momentum was holted when captain Chris Jack was sinbinned in the 20th minute, moments after referee Josh Noonan had warned the former All Blacks lock about his team's constant offending.

Wellington 20 (Dane Coles, Jeremy Thrush, Julian Savea tries; Fa'atonu Fili pen, con) Tasman 11 (Robbie Malneek try; Steve Alfeld 2 pen). Halftime: 15-8.

- NZPA