Wellington have retained rugby's Ranfurly Shield, eventually winning 26-20 after a spirited challenge by Tasman at Westpac Stadium in the capital on Saturday.
The Lions came back in the second half, after the Makos held a slender lead 6-3 lead at half time.
Meanwhile Northland celebrated their retention in the top flight of domestic rugby with a 45-24 Air New Zealand cup win over bottom of the table Manawatu in Whangarei on Sunday.
Northland ran in six tries and now sit ninth on the competition table.
