Three tries for Tuitama as Wgtn XV lose to Tasman
Wellington Lions coach Chris Gibbes had a simple message after watching a Wellington XV lose 54-35 to Tasman in Seddon.
"We need to be better," Gibbes said after a match that completed a two-match preseason campaign ahead of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup. "We learned a little more about ourselves and some individuals today and if I'm being honest there were some moments where we needed to be better."
Although the Wellington XV won the second half 28-26 after trailing 28-7 at halftime Gibbes wasn't about to pop any champagne corks on the Ferry ride home after watching his side concede eight tries.
"Yes, there were improvements in some areas from the last game, but overall it wasn't really a performance that reflects what Wellington will be about in 2017. We will be better and we will need to be."
Gibbes will name his official squad for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup at the Wellington Lions season launch on Friday evening.
Oriental-Rongotai wing Malo Tuitama was the main scoring threat for the Wellington XV in Seddon with three tries, while second half centre Lester Maulolo and fullback Trent Renata scored the other tries.
First five Jackson Garden-Bachop kicked a perfect five from five conversions to complete the scoring in a match that doubled as a fund raiser to help the Awatere Rugby Club with repair bills from damage caused by a series of earthquakes last November.
Tasman scored two quick tries to start the match and lead 14-0 before Renata's try got the visitor's on the board. However, it was one-way traffic up until the break as Tasman second five Trael Joass scored twice in quick succession.
The second half proved to be an entertaining shoot-out for the local crowd as the teams traded tries through to fulltime.
Last week a Wellington XV selection lost 28-14 to Manawatu in Otaki.
The Wellington Lions kick off their 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign against Manawatu in Palmerston North on August 20.
Scorers:
Wellington XV 28 (Malo Tuitama 3, Trent Renata, Lester Maulolo tries, Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 con) Tasman 54. HT: 28-7 (Tasman)