Ranfurly Shield stays in Auckland

Auckland did not just defend the Ranfurly Shield in their first defence of the year. They attacked and slaughtered Poverty Bay, winning a massive 116-3.

In doing so Auckland scored 18 tries. Tevita Tu'ifua scored four tries while there was a hat-trick of hat-tricks. Three players each scored three tries - Bradley Mika, Tasesa Lavea and Sefulu Gaugau.

It took Auckland just three minutes to score their first try when Tu'ifua dotted down his first of the afternoon. It took the wing just 20 minutes to bring up his hat-trick.

To cap it all it was not even a full Auckland side! And, what's more, it rained.

Half-time came with the score 50-3. That means that in the second half's 40 minutes, they scored 66 points.

On Sunday Auckland again defend the Log against Counties Manukau at Eden Park.

The scorers:

For Auckland:
Tries: Tevita Tu'ifua 4, Brad Mika 3, Brent Ward 2, Angus Macdonald, Sefulu Gaugau 3, Tasesa Lavea 3, Semisi Telefoni, Joseph Tekori
Cons: Orene Ai'i 7, Ward 6

For Poverty Bay:
Pen: Josh Maynard