Waratahs break 81-year hoodoo in Auckland

The HSBC Waratahs have tasted their first victory at Eden Park since 1928 by defeating the Blues 27-22 in Auckland

Both sides scored three tries apiece, however the sure kicking of Daniel Halangahu - who returned a personal haul of 17 points - saw the Tahs home.

NSW were never headed in the victory which also marked the first time the HSBC Waratahs have scored four wins over New Zealand opponents in one Super Rugby season.

The game started well for the visitors, dominating possession for the opening five minutes as they moved the ball right down to the Blues line. Benn Robinson looked to have crashed over for his second try in as many weeks however the Television Match Official ruled the prop had come up short.

In wasn't long however before NSW crossed, with Daniel Halangahu holding onto the ball as the defence was drawn to a dummy runner with the flyhalf crossing next to the posts in the seventh minute.

Halangahu then converted his own try for a 7-0 lead.

The visitors continued to control possession, and after Luke Burgess found a hole to move into Blues territory, a penalty allowed Halangahu to extend the lead to ten.

However the Blues quickly hit back with Anthony Tuitavake making room for himself down the right flank to cross in the corner.

A scuffle broke out involving NSW skipper Phil Waugh and Blues centre Isaiah Toeava, with the visitors receiving a penalty just inside the attacking half. Halangahu's long range penalty attempt fell short, leaving the HSBC Waratahs with a three-point after 22 minutes.

The Blues looked to have crossed again in the 26th minute after some exciting play, however players had to return 40m downfield where referee Craig Joubert had noticed an offside penalty and the Waratahs were able to clear into the Blues half.

Soon after the Blues were controlling the ball under the No.8's feet at the back of a scrum, however the pass to the half was intercepted by Luke Burgess who ran 30m to score.

Halangahu converted from 10m in from the right touchline to extend the margin to 12 points.

The visitors suffered a major blow in the 32nd minute when Wycliff Palu was shown a yellow card for intentionally knocking down the ball. Gopperth kicked the ensuring penalty from close range to close the gap to nine.

After the half-time siren, the Blues were on the attack when Lachie Turner grabbed an intercept and started to streak downfield. However he was called back for leaving the offside line too early, handing Gopperth another penalty attempt.

The Blues No.10 however hit the post with his strike, leaving the HSBC Waratahs with a 17-8 half-time lead.

NSW suffered another injury blow just after the break when Luke Burgess limped from the field with a corked thigh at the same time Palu returned from the sin bin.

The Blues twice turned around the visitors defence but couldn't cross, however some driving forward play saw Onosai'i Auva'a plow over. Gopperth converted, closing the margin to two.

NSW had the opportunity to enjoy the next period of extended territory, and it resulted in more points, with Tatafu Polota-Nau crashing over after a driving maul from a close-range lineout. Halangahu again added the extras and soon followed with a penalty for a 27-15 lead.

The Blues weren't done with however, and after NSW turned over the ball searching for their fourth try, they worked their way downfield to score through Michael Hobbs as the replacement centre's father sat in the stands next to the New Zealand Prime Minister.

Gopperth's conversion took the score to 27-22 going into the final ten minutes.

The Blues had their chances to tie the scores, however the visitors were extremely strong in defence, showing a lot of character in grinding out a five-point win.

The HSBC Waratahs return to Sydney tomorrow morning ahead of three home matches in a row, beginning with a clash against the Stormers on Saturday 4 April.

HSBC Waratahs 27 (Daniel Halangahu, Luke Burgess, Tatafu Polota-Nau tries; Daniel Halangahu 3 cons, 2 pens) d Blues 22 (Anthony Tuitavake, Onosai'i Auva'a, Michael Hobbs tries; Jimmy Gopperth 2 cons, pen) at Eden Park, Auckland. Half-time: HSBC Waratahs 17-8. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA). Crowd: Nearly 17,500.

By the clock
7th minute - Daniel Halangahu try; Daniel Halangahu conversion. HSBC Waratahs 7-0
13th minute - Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. HSBC Waratahs 10-0
18th minute - Anthony Tuitavake try; Jimmy Gopperth missed conversion. HSBC Waratahs 10-5
22nd minute - Daniel Halangahu missed penalty attempt.
28th minute - Luke Burgess try; Daniel Halangahu conversion. HSBC Waratahs 17-5
32nd minute - Wycliff Palu yellow card.
33rd minute - Jimmy Gopperth penalty goal. HSBC Waratahs 17-8
40th+ minute - Jimmy Gopperth missed penalty attempt.
48th minute - Onosai'i Auva'a try; Jimmy Gopperth conversion. HSBC Waratahs 17-15
56th minute - Tatafu Polota-Nau try; Daniel Halangahu conversion. HSBC Waratahs 24-15
63rd minute - Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. HSBC Waratahs 27-15
68th minute - Michael Hobbs try; Jimmy Gopperth conversion. HSBC Waratahs 27-22

Teams
Blues: 1. Tevita Mailau (Auckland), 2. Keven Mealamu (Auckland), 3. John Afoa (Auckland); 4. Kurtis Haiu (Auckland), 5. Ali Williams (Auckland); 6. Chris Lowery (Auckland), 7. Onosai'i Auva'a (Auckland), 8. Jerome Kaino (Auckland); 9. Taniela Moa (Auckland), 10. Jimmy Gopperth (North Harbour); 11. Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), 12. Jamie Helleur (Auckland), 13. Isaiah Toeava (Auckland), 14. Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour); 15. Paul Williams (Canterbury).
Reserves: 16. Tom McCartney (Auckland), 17. Charlie Faumuina (Auckland), 18. Anthony Boric (North Harbour), 19. Peter Saili (Auckland), 20. Chris Smylie (North Harbour), 21. Michael Hobbs (Wellington), 22. Rene Ranger (Northland).
HSBC Waratahs: 1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood), 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta), 3.Dan Palmer (Southern Districts); 4. Dean Mumm (Sydney University), 5. Will Caldwell (Sydney University); 6. Ben Mowen (Randwick), 7. Phil Waugh [c] (Sydney University), 8. Wycliff Palu (Manly); 9. Luke Burgess (Sydney University), 10. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University); 11. Lote Tuqiri (West Harbour), 12. Tom Carter (Sydney University), 13. Rob Horne (Southern Districts), 14. Lachie Turner (Eastwood); 15. Sam Norton-Knight (Northern Suburbs).
Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), 17. Sekope Kepu (Randwick), 18. Chris Thomson (Warringah), 19. Luke Doherty (Manly), 20. Brett Sheehan (Warringah), 21. Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs), 22. Timana Tahu (West Harbour).