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Watch: Tasman hooker steamrolls Wes Goosen during barnstorming run as Mako outlast Wellingon

September 29, 2018

Tasman have taken over the top of the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership leaderboard after beating Wellington 28-22 this evening in the Cake Tin.

The Mako have passed Auckland, who suffered a shock loss to Championship side Otago last night, to hold a two-point lead in the standings thanks to coming out on top in tonight's close contest.

The two sides were only separated by three points at half time but Tasman managed to build on that lead with three tries in the second 40.

They sealed the win in the 67th minute thanks to a brilliant run by replacement hooker Ray Niuia, who broke into Wellington's backfield and managed to bump off Hurricanes midfielder Wes Goosen before getting taken down metres short of the try line.

But the Mako were quick to recycle the ball and found John Akau'ola-Laula uncovered on the wing as he strolled in to score and push Tasman's lead to 28-17.

Wellington replied with a try to Thomas Umaga-Jensen in the final minutes but it wasn't enough to claw down the leaders.

With the loss, they remain in fourth place in the Premiership behind Tasman, Auckland and Canterbury.

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