Auckland raise 50 to keep semis hopes alive

4.30pm

AUCKLAND 50 NORTHLAND 17

Defending champions NPC first division rugby champions Auckland kept their semifinal hopes alive with a convincing 50-17 win over Northland at Eden Park, Auckland today.

Running eight tries to two, Auckland had few problems disposing of the competition's last-placed team and leaped from eighth place to second, indicating the congested nature of the competition.

Talented centre Ben Atiga was the Auckland stand-out scoring two tries in his 20-point haul. He could easily have had a third late in the game when he crossed the tryline but passed the ball to first five-eight Tasesa Lavea, giving the former New Zealand rugby league international a try on debut for Auckland.

Winger Iliesa Tanivula also scored two tries while fullback Orene Ai'i, prop Soane Tonga'uiha and captain/No 8 Xavier Rush snared one each.

Northland could were unlucky to trail 10-24 at halftime, with at least two of the home side's tries debateable. However, their defence fell apart in the second.

Tries went to Australian halfback Sam Payne and tirelss flanker Mose Tuiali'i.

The Aucklanders could still find themselves outside the top four at the end of round eight matches this weekend.

That would leave them needing to beat Canterbury in their final-round Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch next weekend to qualify for the semifinals.

Auckland 50

(Ben Atiga 2, Iliesa Tanivula 2, Orene Ai'i, Soane Tonga'uiha, Xavier Rush, Tasesa Lavea tries; Atiga 5 con)

Northland 17 (Sam Payne, Mose Tuiali'i tries; James Arlidge pen, con, Josh Levi con).

Halftime: Auckland 24 Northland 10.

- NZPA

NPC points table