Anscombe boots Auckland to victory

Gareth Anscombe: 28 points

Gareth Anscombe was Auckland's hero as he scored 28 points in their 43-30 ITM Cup win over Wellington at Eden Park on Saturday.

Anscombe's match-winning tally came via a try, four conversions and five penalties and he also passed the 100 point mark for the competition when he landed his second penalty.

Earlier, Wellington started the match brightly when in the fourth minute Jeff Toomaga-Allen forced his way over from close quarters to score his first ITM Cup try.

The home side struck back with two penalties from Anscombe and Jason Woodward also added a three-pointer for the visitors, before Anscombe scored his try in the 21st minute.

Auckland added a penalty try and a touchdown from Liaki Moli in the first-half and Wellington struck back with a five-pointer from Charlie Ngatai which meant the hosts led 27-18 at the break.

Wellington conceded several penalties during the second-half and when it was within goal-kicking range Anscombe made them pay.

Auckland secured their bonus-point try in the 65th minute through Ben Lam and Alapati Leiua added two further tries for the visitors during this period.

The scorers:

For Auckland:
Tries: Moli, Anscombe, Lam, penalty try
Cons: Anscombe 4
Pens: Anscombe 5

For Wellington:
Tries: Toomaga-Allen, Ngatai, Leiua (2)
Cons: Woodward (2)
Pens: Woodward (2)

Auckland: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Ben Lam, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Dave Thomas, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Joe Edwards, 7 Sean Polwart, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Nathan Hughes, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Auvasa Faleali'i, 21 Simon Hickey, 22 Lolagi Visinia.

Wellington: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Matt Proctor, 10 Tim Bateman, , 9 Frae Wilson,, 8 Ardie Savea 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Lua Lokotui, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush (c), 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Eric Sione.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Solomona Sakalia, 18 Kaipati Gaualofa, 19 Genesis Mamea, 20 Kayne Hammington, 21 Ross Filipo, 22 Lima Sopoaga.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence