Wellington wilt as Waikato storm home

Waikato produced a storming second half to beat Wellington 43-37 in a see-sawing national provincial championship rugby match in Hamilton on Sunday.

The visitors led 34-8 at halftime, hitting back with five unanswered tries after winger Mosese Dawai’s fifth-minute try gave Waikato the early lead.

Pepesana Patafilo crossed twice for Wellington, followed by Du’Plessis Kirifi, Julian Savea, and Peter Umaga-Jensen as Wellington took complete control.

But once Savea was yellow-carded early in the second half, and Wellington first-five Ruben Love was sidelined with injury, the tide turned.

First Jack Lam, then Ollie Norris scored for Waikato, followed by Cortez Ratima, Liam Messam and finally Liam Coombes-Fabling as the home team grabbed a win that sent them to the top of the premiership table with two wins from two games.

In a crossover match, premiership outfit Bay of Plenty built on a 10-0 halftime lead over championship side Southland to ease away to a 31-11 win.

And in a championship clash, Taranaki ran away to a 48-14 win over an under-manned Northland.

Ahead 10-7 at half-time, Taranaki capitalised after Northland No.8 Isi Manu was red-carded for a high shot three minutes into the second spell.

Kini Naholo scored a double, while Ricky Riccitelli, Shaan Waite and Daniel Rona all crossed, the reliable boot of Stephen Perofeta leaving Northland with little chance of an upset