Auckland outclass Northland

Auckland's Brad Mika makes a break on the wing. Phil Walter / Getty Images

Auckland showed some sting in their tail to cast aside Northland 53-7 in an NPC first division rugby match in Auckland today.

Widely panned following a heavy loss to Taranaki last weekend, Auckland took their frustrations out on Northland to score eight tries to one at Eden Park.

They made light work of the divisional stragglers, easing out to a 27-0 advantage at halftime on the back of some enterprising backplay.

That continued after the interval as well and they raised their half century in the last minute of the match when promising fullback Isaia Toeava scored his second try after running 70m from another Auckland counter-attack.

Big winger Tony Koonwaiyou also scored two tries, while loose forward Angus Macdonald, first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea, centre Isa Nacewa and prop Saimone Taimoepeau nabbed one apiece.

Macdonald's was particularly memorable, coming after Auckland counter-attacked from inside their own 22 in a move that twice featured No 8 Brad Mika.

Northland were valiant in the forwards but totally outclassed in the backs, their sole try coming from cunning hooker Tim Dow, who threw a couple of dummy passes before diving over from a ruck near the tryline.

- NZPA