Auckland winners of messy bridge clash

Ben Atiga of Auckland makes a tackle on Anthony Tuitavake. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Auckland 23 North Harbour 3

Auckland squeezed a 23-3 win out of North Harbour in an untidy battle of the bridge rugby clash in Auckland tonight.

Victory, which ensures the clinical Aucklanders will win pool A in the first round of the Air New Zealand Cup, was forged on the back of a grinding forward effort and the accurate boot of fullback Brent Ward.

However, there was little to enthuse about for Blues Super 14 rugby selectors, with the match dogged by errors despite perfect evening conditions at Eden Park.

Referee Gary Wise blew a merry tune at the breakdown, producing his yellow card three times in the second half for cynical infringements.

The first was against Auckland prop Saimone Taumoepeau, while North Harbour halfback Junior Poluleuligaga and prop Mike Noble followed him later to the sinbin.

It was while Noble was off in the closing minutes that Auckland replacement prop Chris Heard flopped over for his team's second try and to blow out the winning margin.

Auckland won their 22nd of 28 matches against their cross-bridge rivals and can sit out a bye next week comfortable that they are Pool A's top qualifiers for the second phase of the competition.

It was a disappointing performance from previously-unbeaten Harbour, whose struggling scrum left No 8 Nick Williams little leeway to have the impact of previous matches.

Their classy backline had few chances to shine, including reserve winger Jonah Lomu, who barely touched the ball after coming on for the final quarter for his first appearance at Eden Park in five years.

Auckland, who suffered their first loss of the season to Wellington last week, were led by a strong ball-winning game from lock Kurtis Haiu and 13 points off the boot of Ward, who nailed five-from-five.

Flanker Daniel Braid scored the only try of the first half, set up by some nice touches in the 20th minute from second five-eighth Isa Nacewa.

The creative Nacewa left the game injured soon afterwards and Harbour first five-eighth Tusi Pisi made the halftime score 10-3 with a penalty on the stroke of the break.

Harbour began the second half strongly but a turning point came in the 47th minute when Taumoepeau was sinbinned. Pisi missed the resulting penalty kick from almost right in front and much of the zip went out of their game.

They rarely ventured back into Auckland's 22m zone from that point as the hosts clamped hold of possession.

Auckland 23 (Daniel Braid, Chris Heard tries; Brent Ward 3 pen, 2 con)
North Harbour 3 (Tusi Pisi pen).
HT: 10-3.

- NZPA