Tasman easily over Wellington [Stuff]
TOO SLICK: Tasman wing James Lowe goes in for his second try during the Makos victory over the Wellington Lions this afternoon.
There's none of that these days, with pointless music punctuating the gaps in play, rather than the crowd having an opportunity to get involved.Back in the Athletic Park days, someone always greeted a poor performance with the old ''what a load of rubbish chant.''
The rubbish hasn't changed, though, with Wellington serving up a shed load in losing to Tasman 42-20 at Westpac Stadium tonight.
My word the Lions were poor again and it's hard to imagine anything can save them from relegation to provincial rugby's championship tier.
Tasman were good, actually really good at times, and you don't want to be dismissive of what they brought to this match.
But the Makos playing well isn't quite as newsworthy as one of provincial rugby's big boys hitting the skids.
You can hoot and holler about how many times the Lions have failed to win this competition in recent years.
For some it's no doubt amusing to see Wellington make final upon final and win none.
But at least they were always in the playoffs. There's nothing amusing about this season, just the shame of seeing a Super Rugby franchise base going down.
This isn't Dunedin.
The Wellington Rugby Football Union haven't been in the dire financial straits that Otago were. Wellington actually have dough and a sizeable population to draw players from.
There's something forgivable about Otago's championship status.
Wellington will blame injuries and luck should they end up down there with them, but neither is particularly convincing.
They certainly don't belong in the premiership with Tasman, if today was anything to go by.
Robbie Malneek and James Lowe carved the Lions up for first half tries, while Marty Banks kicked four from five.
New boy Willie Ripia bagged a brace of penalties to keep the Lions somewhere near the hunt at 21-6 come halftime.
An Alex Ainley try, converted by Banks, soon made it 28-6, then Lowe left Lions fullback Andrew Wells grasping for the second time in the match.
Banks again converted to put the Makos 35-6 up with 30 minutes to play.
Many of the 3029 crowd had upped and left at halftime.
Most had children in tow, so you can understand them not sticking around. No point scarring the little ones for life by having them watch the Lions perform like this.
Thankfully the Makos massacre never quite materialised. The game had lost its shape by the time Lions prop Tolu Fahamokioa muscled over for a try.
Pete Samu's reply for Tasman was more spectacular, before replacement prop Eric Sione salvaged a sliver of respectability with another late try for the Lions.
Didn't change the result, though.
Tasman 42 (James Lowe 2, Robbie Malneek, Alex Ainley, Pete Samu tries; Marty Banks 4 con, 3 pen) Wellington 20 (Tolu Fahamokioa, Erix Sione tries; Willie Ripia 2 pen, 2 con). HT: 21-6.
