Funaki grabs two tries as Auckland Blues rout Western Force

Scrum-half Taufa Funaki grabbed two tries Friday as the Auckland Blues romped to a 50-3 home thrashing of Super Rugby bottom side the Western Force.

Blues head coach Vern Cotter made nine changes to the side that also routed Moana Pasifika 47-8 the previous week, but the hosts still dominated at Auckland’s Eden Park.

The Force last beat the Blues in 2008 and the Australian outfit were outclassed, conceding eight tries without reply.

A first-half penalty by fly-half Ben Donaldson was all the Force could muster.

The victory leaves the Blues second in the table behind leaders the Wellington Hurricanes, the only team still with a 100 percent record.

Funaki touched down either side of half-time. The pick of his tries came 10 minutes into the second-half when All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke burst through several tackles before putting Funaki over.

Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, hooker Ricky Riccitelli, lock Laghlan McWhannell, No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu, centre Corey Evans and winger AJ Lam claimed the other tries.

Blues fly-half Harry Plummer landed five of his eight conversions as the home side racked up a half century of points.

The Force remain routed to the bottom of the table with just one win this season.

ryj/pst

AFP

(NAMPA / AFP)