Rugby: Auks inflict some pain on Otago

DUNEDIN - Otago suffered in the "House of Pain" as Auckland inflicted an embarrassing defeat on the southerners in Saturday night's NPC first-division rugby clash.

Auckland moved to the top of the points table with a clinical display, scoring seven tries in their magnificent 45-10 win at Caris-brook.

But the win did not completely satisfy Auckland captain Paul Thomson, because his team let Otago in for two tries.

"We pride ourselves on our defence," Thomson said. "But we are happy with the win."

The Auckland backs had too much pace for Otago and scored three tries in the first half to lead 19-0 at the break.

One of these went to veteran centre Eroni Clarke, who returned to Carisbrook in style after being injured in his last game in Dunedin, the Super 12 opener earlier this year.

"The team was hurting after our loss to Canterbury last week," he said. "It was good to knit things together tonight."

Auckland scored seven tries, three to new first five-eighths Orene Ai'i, who displayed outstanding talent as he mesmerised the Otago defence.

The other young player to stand out was replacement winger Doug Howlett, who used his pace to score the last two Auckland tries.

Veteran flanker Michael Jones scored the first try in the second spell from a lineout.

"We worked hard on our defence after the Canterbury game," Jones said. "It was good to get back the pride that has been a hallmark of Auckland's defence over the years."

Otago matched Auckland in the forwards but were outplayed in the backs.

One player to emerge with credit was winger Mathew Priscott, who scored two tries in his first full NPC game for Otago.

Victory put Auckland back on the winning track after their last-game stumble. After Canterbury's shock loss to Northland and Otago's walloping, Auckland have a one-point lead over Waikato, who they meet on Friday at Eden Park.

After their latest successful Ranfurly Shield defence, Waikato are the only first-division side not to have been defeated in this season's NPC.

The winners of the Auckland-Waikato game are likely to cement a home semifinal, but coach Wayne Pivac was cautious about his side's chances.

"It would be great to get a home semifinal and preferably qualify top because then you would be drawn against the fourth qualifier," he said.

"That would be the best result, but there are a lot of teams between us and that sort of ending, starting with Waikato this week."