Dominant second half sets up Wellington Lions win over Auckland

A dominant second half performance set the Wellington Lions up for a commanding 34-15 Mitre 10 Cup win over Auckland at Eden Park on Sunday.

Behind 15-14 at halftime, the Lions kept their hosts scoreless in the second half as they scored 20 unanswered points in the bonus point win.

The win, Wellington's fifth in a row, saw them maintain second spot on the Premiership table as they hunt a home semifinal.

There was plenty to like about the Lions effort, especially the work they put in to their defence as they kept their line speed all game, often forcing Auckland into mistakes.

They also played some smart rugby with first five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop keeping Auckland in their terriotry with a good kicking game.

The Lions also scored some excellent tries, the first of which came in just the first minute when Peter Umaga-Jensen crossed off the back of an excellent run from wing Ben Lam.

While Auckland hit back 12 minutes later, Billy Proctor scored the first of his two tries in the 28th minute before the home side countered with a try and penalty to take the lead at the break.

But it was the Lions who reaped the reward for their hard work as they now prepare to host Northland in a cross-over match at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Wellington 34 (Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor 2, Mateaki Kafatolu tries, Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 con, 2 pen) Auckland 15 (Leni Apisai, Jonathan Ruru tries, Harry Plummer con, pen).