Stephen Perofeta reveals why Auckland are 'their own worst enemies' in the NPC

Wellington led 17-19 at the break after trading tries throughout an open first half, and looked to be taking control when Dominic Ropeti crossed to extend the visitors' lead to 17-26 midway through the second half.

Rico Simpson's second try of the night hauled Auckland back within four, before replacement prop Ben Ake barged over in the 64th minute to put the home side ahead for the first time, 29-26.

Wellington responded almost immediately, with hooker James O'Reilly restoring the visitors' lead at 29-31 just two minutes later.

But Auckland had the final say, centre Pita Ahki finishing off a length-of-the-field move in the 75th minute to seal a thrilling 34-31 victory and move the home side up to fifth in the NPC table.

Auckland travel to face Hawke's Bay next weekend, while Wellington host North Harbour looking to arrest a two-match losing start to the season.

TRIES: 6 (I. Fines 15', J. Beehre 29', R. Simpson 35', 57', B. Ake 64', P. Ahki 75')

CONVERSIONS: 2 (S. Perofeta 30', 64')

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

CARDS: 0

TRIES: 5 (I. Saumaki 11', R. Matsushita 23', P. Poasa 32', D. Ropeti 44', J. O'Reilly 66')

CONVERSIONS: 3 (C. Harkin 24', 33', 45')

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

CARDS: 0

This game turned into a genuine shootout in its closing stages, with neither side able to hold onto the advantage for long.

Wellington appeared to have taken control when Ropeti crossed early in the second half, opening up a nine-point advantage. Auckland refused to panic, however, with Simpson's second try bringing them back within touching distance before Ake's powerful finish from close range finally put the hosts in front.

That lead lasted just two minutes, with O'Reilly restoring Wellington's advantage at 31-29. Auckland's response was emphatic, as Ahki finished off a brilliant length-of-the-field attack in the 75th minute to settle one of the most entertaining matches of Round 2.

It's the kind of finish that will have coaches on both sides picking apart their game management under pressure long after full-time.

Wing Rico Simpson was one of Auckland's most important attacking players, scoring either side of half-time to ensure the hosts remained within striking distance whenever Wellington threatened to pull away.

His first try arrived in the 35th minute, helping Auckland establish a foothold in an open first half. His second was arguably even more important, arriving in the 57th minute with Wellington threatening to take control of the contest.

Simpson's finishing gave Auckland the platform they needed to launch their late comeback, and his ability to punish Wellington when opportunities presented themselves proved crucial in a game decided by the smallest of margins.

Auckland's bench ultimately played a major role in deciding the contest, with replacement prop Ben Ake making an immediate impact when his side needed it most.

The front-rower barged over in the 64th minute to give Auckland their first lead of the afternoon at 29-26. It was a powerful finish and exactly the sort of contribution NPC coaches look for from their replacements.

Wellington responded almost immediately, but Ake's try had already shifted the momentum firmly back towards the hosts. Auckland's ability to find impact from the bench was one of the key differences in a contest where both teams traded blows throughout the afternoon.

Despite scoring five tries and leading for large parts of the match, Wellington now sit at 0-2 to open their NPC campaign after also suffering defeat to Hawke's Bay in Round 1.

There were plenty of positives for the visitors, particularly their attacking output and ability to repeatedly put Auckland under pressure. They also showed impressive resilience after conceding the lead late in the contest, immediately responding through O'Reilly to move back in front.

However, defensive lapses ultimately proved costly for Wellington. Having allowed Auckland back into the contest after establishing a nine-point advantage, the visitors were unable to close out the game when it mattered most.

The performance will offer some reassurance that the attacking game is firing, but Wellington will know that defensive improvements are essential if they are to turn promising performances into victories.

A week after opening their campaign with defeat to Canterbury, Auckland have responded with an impressive victory over Wellington.

The result lifts Auckland to fifth in the NPC standings and provides an important confidence boost heading into a difficult Round 3 trip to face Hawke's Bay.

The hosts showed plenty of attacking intent throughout the match, scoring six tries and refusing to panic despite repeatedly falling behind. Their ability to recover from a nine-point deficit in the second half was particularly impressive, while the late contribution from the bench helped swing the contest in their favour.

There are still areas for Auckland to improve, as Perofeta admitted after the match, but securing a four-point victory in such dramatic circumstances could prove an important moment in their season.

Speaking to Sky Sport NZ after the match, Auckland first five Stephen Perofeta admitted the finish was far tighter than his side would have liked, with the home side needing until deep into the second half to finally get their noses in front for good.

"It took us 70 minutes to finally get in the lead, but that's too close for my liking. We're our own worst enemies at times," Perofeta said. "We'll take the win, but we've got to keep moving forward in this competition. It's a sprint."

The playmaker admitted Auckland never quite found their attacking rhythm despite the four tries on the board, crediting a stubborn Wellington outfit for making the afternoon as difficult as it was.

“We were up and down, and Wellington wouldn't go down without a fight," he said. "We could easily have just given up and let them score in the end there, but we hung tight and stuck in."

For Wellington, lock Caleb Delany summed up the closing stages of the contest simply, with the lead swapping hands repeatedly through the final quarter.

The visitors will be encouraged by their attacking output despite the loss, though Delany pointed to defensive errors as the difference in a match Wellington came agonisingly close to snatching at the death.

"We worked hard for all our tries. I think we were a bit soft on defence at times, let them back in, so we need to be better there," he said. "But proud of the effort of all the young boys, they worked really hard till the end - and almost got it at the end too."

Despite the result, Delany saw signs of progress in a young Wellington side building through the early rounds.

"It was a big step up from last week. Real proud of the boys," he said. "We'll look at it, be better next week."

Auckland face Hawke's Bay next weekend, while Wellington return home to host North Harbour.