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NPC
WEL vs HBY
NPC
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wellington
vs
Hawke's Bay
46
FT
28
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 46 - 28
That's all we have for this one. Stay with Tribe for the clash between Canterbury and Waikato which gets underway shortly in Christchurch. This is Anthony Morgan signing off.
Wellington will either finish first or second if Tasman prevail over Taranaki tomorrow afternoon. Hawke's Bay will be forced to play an away quarter-final next week as they will finish either fifth, or sixth - should Waikato claim a bonus-point win over Canterbury later this evening.
Hawke's Bay were on song early as they piled on three tries in the opening 15 minutes by taking a very direct approach with their carries. Harry Godfrey was sound at the back with two tries and was a regular threat carting it back from fullback. Devan Flanders and Hugh Renton were heavily involved on both sides of the ball but in the end the Magpies' ill-discipline would prove costly in the second half.
After he was sin-binned early for a deliberate knock down, Kyle Preston was one of the chief architect's of Wellington's comeback before halftime with a try and try assist via a charge down. Sione Halalilo and Peter Lakai provided a number of strong carries while up front Xavier Numia was a difference maker in the scrums.
Wellington overcame a slow start and powered home to beat Hawke's Bay 46-28 to lock up a Top 2 spot on the ladder. After they overturned an early 21-point deficit to lead by one at halftime, the Lions struck first in the second half with a try to Riley Higgins in the 50th minute. A barge-over try to Siale Lauaki put the hosts in control by 15 points with 18 minutes to play before Hawke's Bay struck back through Tyrone Thompson, who scored his second try via a rolling maul. Julian Savea had the final say with a powerful try in the 72nd minute to cap a solid win for the Lions.
80+1'
Garden-Bachop lands the penalty from 12m out and just to the left of the sticks.
46-28 J. Garden-Bachop
Penalty
80+1'
80'
Wellington are awarded another penalty after Hawke's Bay are pinged for collapsing up front. Garden-Bachop will take the shot at goal from close range.
79'
Hawke's Bay gift possession straight back to Wellington with a forward pass in the midfield. The Lions will feed the scrum 7m out.