Jason Woodward gave a tantalising glimpse of what the Rebels can expect in next year's Super Rugby season with an impressive all-round effort as Wellington downed Taranaki 33-17 in their national provincial rugby championship match on Sunday.
The Wellington winger has signed a two-year deal with the Rebels, and played a vital role in Wellington's win, running in two tries and racking up 13 points with the boot.
Wellington needed the win to secure the home advantage for next week's semi-finals, and secured that comfortably with a measured first half where they dominated possession and dictated pace.
Under occasional pressure at scrum time, Wellington were slick at the lineout, pilfering possession off the Taranaki throw as the Lions' set piece continued to impress.
They controlled the first half efficiently, moving the ball wide and offloading at pace, running in tries to first five-eighth Tim Bateman and flanker Scott Fugistaller.
Taranaki finally got their hands on some ball as the first half drew to a close but botched the attacking lineout five metres out and Wellington went into the break 17-0 ahead.
Handling errors and ill-discipline continued to plague Taranaki, and while prop Jarrad Hoeata was in the sin-bin for a high tackle, Woodward finished a sweeping 75m movement from a turnover to give Wellington a 28-0 lead.
Woodward crossed for his second five minutes later, then Wellington went off the boil somewhat as the game wound down.
Jason Eaton dotted down in the corner for Taranaki as the 60-minute mark approached, then James Broadhurst and James Marshall ran in two late tries to add a measure of respectability to the scoreline.
NZN