Blues winger Caleb Clarke in action against Moana Pasifika.
Photo: Alan Lee/Photosport
Auckland Super Rugby Pacific bragging rights well and truly belong to the Blues.
The Blues have shown their crosstown rivals no mercy at Eden Park, crushing them 43-7.
The feud hit boiling point this week, as Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga unleashed a tirade against the Blues, but the final word went to the Blues, courtesy of a seven tries-to-one demolition job.
The Pacific team were right in the contest at halftime, with two disallowed tries depriving them a lead at the break.
However, the Blues ran riot in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points to close out a one-sided win.
The Blues struck after just four minutes, with halfback Sam Nock selling a dummy to the blindside and scooting over the chalk.
Next, centre AJ Lam was across the line, too powerful close to the line, as the Blues shot out to a 10-0 lead.
Things soon became worse for Moana, when halfback Augustine Pulu copped a red card for a reckless swinging arm to Nock’s head.
Moana Pasifika put themselves on the board through hooker Millennium Sanerivi, but the Blues hit straight back, courtesy of rampaging prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi running a beautiful line onto a short ball.
In a coach-killing moment, Moana had two tries disallowed just before halftime, first Lalomilo Lalomilo, who pounced on a stray lineout throw, but was ruled offside.
Then Joel Lam went in under the sticks, but replays showed flanker Semisi Paea had prevented counterpart Dalton Papali’i from attempting the tackle.
While his tactical kicking was superb, Barrett had an off day with the tee, kicking none from three in the first half to keep Moana in touch at 15-7, but that was as close as they got, as the floodgates opened in the second spell.
Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Cody Vai’i and Mason Tupaea all crossed the chalk to emphatically declare victory over their neighbours.
Moana Pasifika saw another player sent to the bin for a high shot, when fullback Willy Havili caught Anton Segner around the neck, summing up a horribly ill-disciplined performance.
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