Perhaps looking ahead to a Ranfurly Shield challenge, Wellington barely remained unscathed in the National Provincial Championship (NPC).
The Lions needed a 79th-minute try from substitute prop PJ Sheck to escape Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium with a 32-28 victory over Otago and their unbeaten status intact on Wednesday night.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Trailing by one in the closing minutes, Wellington piled onto attack, with wing Pepesana Patafilo making a break into the 22, before Sheck hit it up one-off the ruck and forced his way over.
The decision went to the TMO, with footage showing he got the ball down under Otago fullback Finn Hurley's attempt to prevent the try, securing Wellington's sixth straight victory.
Trailing 14-13 at halftime, the Lions hit the front with tries from halfback Nui Muriwai four minutes after the resumption and lock Akira Ieremia for a 27-14 lead in the 54th minute.
The hosts hit back minutes later through reserve midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen from close-range to get within one score, then went ahead when Hudson Creighton dived over in the left corner in the 73rd minute, with Cameron Millar converting both.
In a back-and-forth first half, Otago got tries from flanker Lucas Casey and hooker Henry Bell, while Dominic Ropeti went over for Wellington, with first-five Callum Harkin booting two penalties, among his 12 points.
The Lions challenge Tasman for the Log o' Wood on Sunday (kick-off 2.05pm) at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park, while Otago travel to Pukekohe to face Counties Manukau on Sunday (kick-off 2.05pm).
Wellington 32 (Dominic Ropeti, Nui Muriwai, Akira Ieremia, PJ Sheck tries; Callum Harkin 3 con, 2 pen) Otago 28 (Lucas Casey, Henry Bell, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Hudson Creighton tries; Ajay Faleafaga 2 con, Cameron Millar 2 con). HT: 13-14
Comments