Blues cruise past Waratahs
The Auckland Blues scored five first-half tries to ease to a 31-17 win over the New South Wales Waratahs at Eden Park.
Last Updated: 16/04/11 1:14pm
![Afoa: crossed in a dominant first half for the Blues](https://uatimg.skysports.com/11/04/660x350/blues_2586170.jpg?20110416120152)
The Auckland Blues scored five first-half tries to ease to a 31-17 victory over the New South Wales Waratahs at Eden Park.
It took the home side just 28 minutes to secure a bonus point, winger Rene Ranger crossing for their fourth score to follow on from earlier efforts by prop duo John Afoa and Tevita Mailau and centre Jared Payne.
They added another before half time through Alby Mathewson as they rushed out to a 31-7 lead, leaving the Waratahs playing for nothing but pride.
To their credit, the visitors did exactly that in the second half; they held their opponents scoreless in scoring two tries of their own.
In the the end they could have been even closer had Kurtley Beale enjoyed a better day with the boot - the fly-half missed a penalty and two conversions.
Classy McAlister
Luke McAlister landed three conversions and also had a hand in the first three tries as Auckland, refreshed after a bye week, made a stunning start.
Afoa got on the end of a McAlister chip to score the first try for the Blues, with front-row colleague Mailau then touching down just four minutes later.
It was Payne's break that set up the second and he turned from provider to scorer for the third, McAlister again getting the assist with a deft kick. The inside centre then combined with full-back Isaia Toeava to put Ranger over.
The Waratahs finally responded with a try from Daniel Halangahu after half an hour, though the respite was only temporary as Blues scrum-half Mathewson burrowed over from a ruck before the half was over.
They were forced to defend in the second period, though, Toeava having to come to their rescue on three different occasions close to his own line.
He could do nothing to stop Drew Mitchell scoring after 55 minutes, though, and Ryan Cross' effort 12 minutes later clawed New South Wales right back into contention.
But Beale's inability to add the extras on both occasions proved costly, meaning they didn't even end up with a losing bonus for their brave fightback.