Rugby: Auckland in warm-up win

Auckland warmed up for the national championship with a 22-11 win over Northland.

Gaining an early lead through the boot of Gareth Anscombe, Auckland had an early 3-0 advantage, then increased the margin with a try by Francis Saili off an attacking scrum near the Northland line.

Anscombe threw a big crossfield pass to his New Zealand under-20 team-mate who went across. Auckland seemed happy to run the ball from anywhere on the field.

Two Ash Moeke penalties for Northland closed the gap to two points at halftime.

Anscombe increased the lead with a penalty after 50 minutes.

Northland then had their best spell of the game, were held up on the Auckland line three times and eventually got across after Auckland were reduced to 14 men.

Halfback Rhyan Caine darted to the blindside and forced his way across 10 minutes from the end.

Anscombe and his replacement, Piers Francis, put Auckland in front again with a brace of penalties before Vili Waqaseduadua crossed for the decisive try near the end.

The Auckland squad for the ITM Cup will be named today.