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Wellington went on a try-scoring binge when they beat Southland 52-7 at Westpac Stadium on Friday.
Star Hurricanes wing Ben Lam scored twice before the break as Wellington held a commanding 40-0 lead at half-time, and picked up a hat-trick later in the second half.
Southland’s early attempts to wear down the Wellington defence were defused by handling errors and penalties as the home side ran in six tries across the first 40 minutes of action.
Just four minutes into the match Wellington were on the board after first five-eighths Jackson Garden-Bachop put a grubber kick in for midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen to pounce on and score.
All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua crashed over ten minutes later with the assistance of All Blacks TJ Perenara and Ardie Savea, before Lam grabbed his first from a set piece play off a scrum in the 23rd minute.
Wellington’s fourth try came after 17 phases when loosehead prop Tolu Fahamokioa charged over. Impressive lock James Blackwell bagged the side’s fifth and Lam picked up his second right on halftime.
The embattled Southland finally found their way over the line after 68 minutes, with replacement forward Bill Fukofuka rewarded after a strong lineout drive.
Wellington had the final say when reserve front rower Kaliopasi Uluilakepa found the line after a quick-tap penalty.
Wellington now face a short turnaround as they host Waikato on Wednesday, while Southland will match up with a struggling Counties Manukau side back home in Invercargill next weekend.
WELLINGTON 52 (Thomas Umaga-Jenson, Asafo Aumua, Ben Lam 3, Tolu Fahamokioa, James Blackwell, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 5 cons, TJ Va’a con) SOUTHLAND 7 (Bill Fukofuka try, James Wilson con). HT 40-0
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