Mako maul Lions in Porirua

By Jonty Dine [Nelson Weekly / Nelson App]

Conditions didn't allow for much running rugby in Porirua today. Photo: Shuttersport (File)

It was never going to be champagne rugby in challenging conditions at Jerry Collins Stadium but the Mako showed plenty of character to grind out an 19-3 win over Wellington this afternoon.

In a replay of the 2020 premiership final, Tasman rallied in the rain with impressive performances from Sione Havili and veteran halves Finlay Christie and Mitch Hunt.

The win sees the Mako reclaim its spot atop the premiership table, however Auckland could leapfrog them again with a a win over Waikato this evening.

Hunt opened the scoring with a well-judged, long-range penalty as a thunderous wind blew across the park.

The Mako would score the only try in the first half as Havili was rewarded for his top performance on the back of a surging lineout maul.

Hunt would nail his second penalty right on the siren as the visitors took an 11-0 lead after a stop start first forty.

It took 27 minutes for points in the second as Jackson Garden-Bachop finally put Wellington on the board to offer its fans a glimmer of hope.

The Mako would strike back immediately however through another powerful maul, Te Ahiwaru Crikidaveta the beneficiary on this occasion.

Hunt would conclude his clinical kicking display with his third penalty as the Mako picked up its sixth win of the season.

Next weekend Tasman will host rivals Canterbury at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim.

Scorers:

Tasman 19 (Sione Havili, Te Ahiwaru Crikidaveta tries, Mitch Hunt 2 pens) def Wellington 3 (Jackson Garden-Bachop pen).