Auckland 38 Hawkes Bay 11
KEY POINTS:
The bubbling optimism that filled an expectant McLean Park didn't take long to disperse into the mild Napier sky last night.
What replaced it appeared to be a painful dose of reality.
Just after kickoff in the Air New Zealand Cup match a lone Auckland fan bravely let out a loud cheer for his side. He was roundly shouted down by those around him. By the end, his chants met no objection.
Hawkes Bay may have gone into the match sitting just a place below their undefeated visitors on the table but the gulf between the sides was quickly evident.
The fired-up Magpies could have been expected to start fast in front of an impressive home crowd but it was Auckland who shocked their hosts with a high-tempo approach that produced two tries in the first 11 minutes.
Taniela Moa almost scored after a measured build-up but the halfback was ruled to have lost the ball over the line after Hawkes Bay fullback Israel Dagg had been forced to make a try-saving tackle on Isa Nacewa, who had shifted to the wing as part of a late reshuffle following the withdrawal of regular centre Ben Atiga.
Benson Stanley also moved from wing to centre and Lachie Munro came into the starting line-up at first five-eighths but the rejig didn't affect Auckland's fluency, with Munro slicing through a hole only to throw the ball over the sideline in an attempt to link with Nacewa with the line begging.
With Hawkes Bay unable to clear their lines - thanks in part to a strong wind - Auckland were able to attack in the set pieces and the hosts quickly succumbed to the pressure.
First five-eighths Matt Berquist was the first offender, spilling a pass under pressure on his own line that allowed Auckland hooker Tom McCartney to pounce for a simple try.
Prop John Afoa was prominent throughout and it was his enthusiasm that created Auckland's second as he vaulted a ruck and enveloped Hawkes Bay halfback Danny Lee before dumping his unfortunate victim behind his own try-line.
Having looked under huge pressure in the opening exchanges, the Magpies' scrum disintegrated completely in the resulting 5m contest, allowing Auckland No 8 Brad Mika to barge his way over after a simple pick up.
It took 15 minutes for Hawkes Bay to finally get their hands on the ball and forge their way into Auckland territory. Their first attack may have been snuffed out on the Auckland 40m line but the hosts seemed galvanised by their limited success, turning what had been a trickle of possession into a steady flow.
But Auckland's scrambling defence proved a tough nut to crack and Hawkes Bay could muster just a Berquist penalty from an extended period of dominance and several promising breaks.
The paucity of that return was underlined three minutes before the break when Auckland captain Sam Tuitupou grubbed over from close range. Berquist cut the deficit to 11 with a penalty on the stroke of halftime but the Magpies weren't able to capitalise on the stiff breeze at their backs in the second half.
Jerome Kaino crashed over for a bonus point try to claim the honours for Auckland after an evenly contested third quarter and Stanley added a fifth as the tiring Magpies began to drop off tackles.
Munro then capped a good night with a neat finish for Auckland's sixth before Hawkes Bay wing Ben Batger crossed for a consolation try after the hooter.
The Magpies fans streamed for the exits with the refrains of The Beatles' Hard Day's Night filtering through the PA system.
