Auckland have climbed back to the top of the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership standings following a gutsy 29-24 win over Wellington at Westpac Stadium on Thursday.
Auckland trailed for the majority of the match, but a try to Jordan Trainor in the final 10 minutes secured the win for the visitors.
The win lifts them above Tasman in the race for home advantage in the Premiership playoffs.
The Lions led 10-7 at the break following a scrappy first-half but extended that lead to 14 points with two quick tries to Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Ben Lam.
But Auckland fought back and scored their second try against the run of play through TJ Faiane.
Ill-discipline then cost Wellington when Mateaki Kafatolu was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle and Auckland made the most of their one-person advantage as Salesi Rayasi, and then Trainor scored to seal the bonus point win.
Wellington will finish its regular season campaign on Friday week when it travels to Taranaki, while Auckland is in Invercargill next Wednesday night to face the Southland Stags.
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