But Otago's Neil Broom blasted his side out of trouble with a thrilling century in the teams' Plunket Shield match at the Queenstown Events Centre yesterday.
Broom teamed up with all-rounder Sam Wells to help revive Otago's prospects after a collapse left the home side teetering at five for 113.
Wellington resumed at 256 for four and declared at lunch on 391 for six.
The home side looked to be making a right mess of its reply but Broom, fresh from scoring 196 against Central Districts last week, counter-attacked with a superb innings to help Otago reach 247 for six by stumps on day two.
Otago still trails by 147 but has avoided the follow-on mark and scored quickly enough to get back into the match.
Broom's unbeaten 103 was breathtaking.
His 100 took just 126 deliveries and a good many of the fours he hit were dispatched through cover with impeccable timing, down on one knee, giving it the full flourish.
Magnificent sight.
It was Broom's seventh first-class century and, given the Black Caps were dismissed for 99 in Wellington yesterday, perhaps the selectors should have another look at the 26-year-old.
He has played 16 ODIs with little to write home about, but Otago coach Mike Hesson believes his charge is ready for the step up.
"For Neil to back up his innings of a 190-odd last week with a 100 shows what a good player he is," Hesson said.
"I think if you look at his first-class record over the last two or three years, he averages 50, or pretty close to it, and is one of the better performers.
"I'm sure they [the selectors] will be keeping an eye on him, and hopefully, he can keep doing what he is doing."
Hesson said Broom and Wells' unbroken stand of 99 had helped get his side back into the match.
"Things were looking a bit bleak. We went a bit hard early and lost wickets through guys playing aggressively and probably a little bit recklessly.
"That partnership was great for Sam in terms of his development. Everyone has seen what he has done with the ball but we still see him as a batsman who bowls and he is starting to show that."
Wells has been outstanding for Otago with the ball this summer, taking 14 wickets including two five-wicket bags.
He broke down with a shoulder injury on Thursday and spent most of the day on the sideline, but when called on to bat he was able, although he looked in discomfort at times.
In eight previous matches his highest score was just 29 but he easily went past that, smashing his maiden fifty off 54 deliveries.
Earlier, Rhodes resumed hoping to post his maiden ton after he had nudged and deflected his way to 64 on the opening day.
The 23-year-old Australian-born player released the handbrake and played a few more strokes.
It was far from a chanceless innings but Rhodes showed determination and scampered through for a single to raise the milestone.
He went on to score 142 and is the 20th player to score a hundred on first-class debut in New Zealand.
Rhodes had a life on 83 when Broom put down an opportunity at second slip.
He dived to his right but just got the tip of his right middle finger to the ball.
He left to have an X-ray but got a clean bill of health and returned to bat.
With both Broom and Wells off, match manager Tim O'Sullivan had to field.
Unfortunately, he dropped two catches towards the end of the Wellington innings.
Neither will make much difference to the game, but try telling that to the bowlers, Greg Todd and Craig Cumming.
Wellington had to call on coach Anthony Stuart to do some fielding while skipper Matthew Bell was off the field with an illness.
Wagner was the best of the Otago seamers, taking four for 103 from nearly 30 overs.
