Rugby: Flying Joe fires as Blues hammer Force

Joe Rokocoko of the Blues is congratulated after scoring his try against the Force by Isaia Toeava. Photo / Getty Images

Joe Rokocoko stepped up his bid for an All Blacks recall with a three-try haul as the Blues swept aside the Force 38-17 in a Super 14 rugby match in Auckland tonight.

It saw a confident Blues outfit bounce back from a loss to the high-flying Stormers to keep themselves in the playoffs race with their fifth victory of the season, as they brace for a three-match South African tour against the Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions.

Meanwhile coach John Mitchell's Force came back to earth with a thud after back-to-back wins over the Stormers and Highlanders, their only two successes of a tough season.

The Blues scored six tries to two, and led 38-3 with three minutes remaining, before a late try from Wallabies flanker David Pocock then a penalty try from referee Keith Brown on the fulltime siren when Stephen Brett was penalised for lazy running.

"It's a great way to head away, it's just nice for the boys to open up and show some good excitement. We were able to score some good tries today,' captain Keven Mealamu told Sky Sport.

Prolific All Blacks tryscorer Rokocoko was unwanted for last year's end-of-season tour - instead turning out for the Barbarians against the tourists in December - as the coaches tasked him with improving his aerial skills.

The All Blacks coaches admitted yesterday that Rokocoko's form had already caught their eye this season, the Fijian flyer kept his name in lights with the Blues' opening two tries as they took control with a 19-3 halftime lead at Eden Park.

After a messy opening stanza when both sides struggled with the greasy ball, the Blues began to string phases together and Rokocoko slid over out wide in the 18th minute after a long buildup.

It signalled an onslaught of three tries in 11 minutes as the Blues attacked and showed impressive skills to blow the Force off the park.

Rokocoko scored his second when he steamed onto a Brett in-pass, then prop Tony Woodcock, in doubt with injury in recent days, stretched out to score after good leadup work from Mealamu who burst from a ruck.

A James O'Connor penalty was all the Force had to show for their first half as their defence was tested to the limit. They also struggled at scrum time as referee Brown dished out several penalties to the hosts.

Two quick tries in five minutes after halftime saw the Blues put the match beyond doubt as the Force had chances but couldn't finish.

Halfback Alby Mathewson darted 30m across field to pierce the Force line and secure the four-try bonus point, then Rokocoko bagged his third after a Brett cut-out pass and a short ball from Luke McAlister.

Winger Rudi Wulf then joined in the fun after good leadup work from McAlister to score the Blues' sixth before the 70-minute mark.

Blues 38 (Joe Rokocoko 3, Tony Woodcock, Alby Mathewson, Rudi Wulf tries; Luke McAlister 4 con) Force 17 (David Pocock try, penalty try; James O'Connor pen, 2 con). Halftime: 19-3.

- NZPA