Rugby: Auckland trounce Otago in eight-try epic

5:00 PM

Auckland brought Otago's season to punishing end this afternoon with a 50-9 defeat at Eden Park.

Despite a blistering start from Otago – up 9-0 after only ten minutes with a drop goal and two penalties off the boot of Tony Brown - Auckland's Keven Mealamu, Carlos Spencer and Doug Howlett hammered home a try each which put their team ahead 19-9 at half time.

Howlett picked up another try in the second half as the Blues took their onslaught up a notch. Turnovers in Auckland's favour quickly became startling runs down the paddock and the Blues hauled in five more tries before the final whistle.

Auckland second-five Amasio Valence equalled Howlett's two tries while Adrian Cashmore and Malili Muliana picked up one each.

Spencer converted five of the eight tries.

This afternoon's defeat will keep Otago out of the NPC top four.