New Zealand’s Auckland Blues returned to the top of the Super 14 standings with a comprehensive 34-6 thrashing of Australia’s New South Wales Waratahs at Eden Park on Friday.
The Blues scored four unanswered tries to collect a bonus point and leapfrog the Sharks at the top of the table, although the South Africans can reclaim first place if they beat the ACT Brumbies in Durban on Sunday.
The Waratahs, finalists two seasons ago, are now virtually out of the running for this year’s series after winning just one of their first seven matches.
Auckland resisted the temptation to call on their full assortment of All Black internationals after they were cleared to return to the competition after missing the first seven rounds to undergo a reconditioning programme ahead of the World Cup.
Coach David Nucifora kept faith with the players who had performed so well this season and was rewarded when skipper Troy Flavell scored two tries, while Daniel Braid and Steve Devine crossed once each.
Luke McAlister converted all four tries and added two penalties for a personal haul of 14 points while the Waratahs had to be content with two penalties from Peter Hewat.
The Blues travel to Hamilton next week to play Waikato Chiefs while the Waratahs return home to Sydney to tackle the defending champions Canterbury Crusaders. — Reuters