Wellington ran in nine tries to beat Southland 60-21 in their Mitre 10 Cup Championship match at Westpac Stadium.
It was a disappointing night for the southerners who come up against a rampant Wellington team able to throw the ball around.
Wellington's Alex Fidow is tackled by 2 Southland players. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Wellington were one short of equaling their highest score against Southland achieved in a 61-3 win in 1999.
Southland had cause to be frustrated because there were times when they showed skills only to be undone by poor handling and passing and by basic mistakes that were too easily punished by a side like Wellington.
Southland scored the first try after eight minutes, but it was all Wellington after that who led 38-14 at the break.
Wellington sit a point behind Otago at the top of the Championship.
The win secures Wellington a spot in the play-offs.