The New South Wales (NSW) Waratahs smashed the Auckland Blues 43-9 to pick up a bonus point and move to the top of the Super 14 ladder here on Friday.
The Waratahs leapt above the Canterbury Crusaders in their four-tries-to-nil thrashing of the inconsistent Blues to underline their claims to go one better than last year’s final loss to the Crusaders, who have a bye this week.
The 34-point hammering — inspired by a man-of-the-match performance from fullback Peter Hewat — was NSW’s biggest win over the Blues in a decade of Super rugby.
It was also the most one-sided in 11 encounters between the two trans-Tasman rivals since the start of Super rugby in 1996.
Hewat contributed 28 points from a solo try, four conversions and five penalty goals in a flawless kicking display in driving rain.
His try in the 63rd minute came from his own kick and re-gather and secured the four-try bonus point for the Waratahs in their most impressive performance of the year.
Hewat now has 359 points in Super rugby, second only to Matt Burke’s tally of 1 172 points for the Waratahs.
Skipper and scrumhalf Chris Whitaker also became the first player to play 100 Super rugby games for the Waratahs. Whitaker is in his last season with the Waratahs before linking up with Irish club Leinster.
Hewat scored all but five of NSW’s points after half-time as the Waratahs dominated the second half. NSW’s other try scorers were hooker Adam Freier, Tuqiri and winger Wendell Sailor.
Auckland’s points came via three penalties from centre Luke McAllister.
In the only setback for the Waratahs, flyhalf Mat Rogers was forced from the field in the second half with suspected broken ribs and he is likely to miss at least two matches. — Sapa-AFP