Wellington upped the tempo in the second spell to down win-less Counties Manukau 33-18 in a lacklustre Air NZ Cup rugby match in Auckland tonight.

Counties Manukau had held the Lions to 13-13 at halftime, the fourth time this season they have been on equal terms with their opposition at the interval.

But again, the Steelers were unable to kick on, and it was Wellington who pulled away at Mt Smart Stadium.

The win lifted the Lions to fourth on the table, although defending champions Waikato will go back above them if they repel Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield challenge tomorrow night.

Wellington, who scored three tries to two, made an interesting decision with seven minutes to go to kick for goal from a penalty rather than going for the bonus point touchdown.

Counties Manukau were hampered by the number of penalties they conceded at the breakdown and defeat left them bottom of the table.

Wellington, the overwhelming favourites heading into the match, dominated the first 10 minutes, when the Steelers hardly touched the ball.

But the visitors were guilty of going laterally too early and the only points they had to show for all their possession and territory came from two penalties to first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth.

When Counties Manukau finally got some field position, they were rewarded when they opted for a lineout when awarded a kickable penalty.

From a subsequent scrum near the line, halfback Kevin Farrell darted over through some week defence.

First five-eighth Troy Nathan's conversion took the Steelers to a surprise 7-6 lead before the Lions got a soft touchdown of their own.

Hooker Tane Kopelani was the beneficiary as he drove over from a ruck through little opposition.

Gopperth landed the conversion and then added two penalties to pull Wellington out to a 13-7 lead.

But two Nathan penalties tied the score at halftime.

Early in the second half, the Steelers again went for a lineout when given a handy penalty, and again they were rewarded for their adventurous attitude.

From the ensuing drive, hooker Simon Lemalu dived over for an unconverted try.

But Wellington, beginning to show more urgency, hit back thanks to a turnover from a poor Counties Manukau throw-in.

The ball fell to halfback Alby Mathewson, who sprinted 40m for a fine solo try.

Replacement first five-eighth Daniel Kirkpatrick kicked the extras to nudge his side ahead and then added a penalty.

Wellington opened the margin further when winger Shannon Paku finished off a backline move.

Wellington skipper Tamati Ellison expressed disappointment at missing out on the bonus-point try.

But the decision for the late shot at goal was based on making the win safe.

He admitted his players might have underestimated the Steelers in the opening spell.

"We probably didn't pay them enough respect," he said.

"We got on the front foot and we thought we were going to run away with it. It wasn't to be and after halftime we tried to get back on top."

Meanwhile, Farrell said infringements and mistakes were a key part of Counties Manukau's undoing.

"The penalties mounted up and there were a few crucial errors at set piece and kicks not going out, and a good team like Wellington do punish you for that."

Wellington beat Counties Manukau 33-18 in their Air NZ Cup rugby match at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland tonight.

Wellington 33 (Tone Kopelani, Alby Matthewson, Shannon Paku, tries; Jimmy Gopperth, 2 pen, con; Daniel Kirkpatrick, 2 pen, 2 con) beat Counties Manukau 18 (Kevin Farrell, Simon Lemalu, tries; Troy Nathan, 2 pen, con). Halftime: 13-13.