17 Apr 2011

Explosive first half gives Blues fourth win

5:15 am on 17 April 2011

The Blues won their fourth Super Rugby match in a row when they blasted the New South Wales Waratahs off Auckland's Eden Park in the first half in their 31-17 win.

The hosts had the four-try bonus point after 27 minutes with tries to props John Afoa and Tevita Mailau, centre Jared Payne and winger Rene Ranger.

Daniel Halangahu replied for the Waratahs before the Blues halfback Alby Mathewson sneaked over from a ruck and it was 31-7 at half-time.

But the Blues lost momentum in the second half as the Waratahs' defence stiffened and they began mounting more cohesive attacks with tries to winger Drew Mitchell and centre Ryan Cross.

Kurtley Beale missed a penalty and both conversions though and Blues finished the game on attack.