Grassroots: Auckland rugby

The Otahuhu coaching duo of Barry George and Cameron Thomas may want to issue a watch and compass to their players at training this week.

Although Sturges Park is the club's home ground, it seemed like most of the team didn't turn up until the second half on Saturday.

At 38-0 down to Waitemata, all that was facing them in the second half was the plea to show pride in their colours and to mark captain Sika Poching's 100th game with some passion.

Waitemata eventually ran out 55-0 winners.

The first half resembled a training run for the slick Waitemata unit. Playing into the wind encouraged them to keep the ball in hand and with deft running and long-range counter attacks they ran in six unanswered tries before the break, two to big prop Faaliga Faasua running like a back from broken play.

The speed to the loose ball of dynamo flanker Ray Tuivaiti combined with the solid forward work of Faasua, Aaron Pulman and Jared Tuoro allowed Lee Stensness at No 10 to ask plenty of questions of the Otahuhu defence.

Generally there were no answers from the red and blacks and Waitemata's ability to deliver quick ball from the tackle area created mismatches galore out wide, giving the impressive Ray Isara on the left wing four tries.

Had he not been so magnanimous, Isara could have had two more - but he passed to team-mates Tuivaiti and Sua Segi once he had crossed the line.

Stensness was all action and innovation, allowing wave after wave of attack from all angles, but it was the intensity and abrasiveness of the Waitemata pack which impressed so much and sent out a clear message to other Gallaher Shield contenders.

Among those staking a claim, University were far too clever in the backs for Suburbs, winning 46-7 with returning Hurricane Brent Ward impressing, while Ponsonby mauled Marist 41-17 in a clinical display.

Teachers Eastern provided an upset over East Tamaki to move away from the bottom of the ladder and Grammar Carlton were comfortable 35-13 winners over Te Papapa Onehunga after the scores were level 13-all at halftime.

In premier two, Waitakere City jumped to a share of the lead with Pakuranga and College Rifles by scoring a five-tries-to-one 35-22 win over Rifles.