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Auckland’s bigwigs fired on Saturday as the energetic visitors sidelined Otago 38-6 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
With six members of last week’s All Blacks team available, complemented by a group of hardened Super Rugby players, Auckland was superior in every facet of the game.
However, the game ended on a sour note when Otago’s Sio Tomkinson, a repeat offender, was sent off for an ugly high shot over Auckland’s Simon Hickey.
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Auckland center Rieko Ioane takes the ball into contact against Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on Saturday.
Tomkinson has earned a reputation for being a reckless defender and is likely to face an extended period on the sidelines.
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He shot off the defensive line and scooped Hickey high with his right shoulder, earning himself a well-deserved red card.
Earlier in the day, Auckland center Rieko Ioane helped himself to give it a try in another accomplished performance, while Caleb Clarke caused Otago major problems on the left side with bruised runs.
Auckland took an 18-point lead by halftime, and Ioane’s five points shortly after the restart effectively ended the game as a competition.
They finished with four attempts and one penalty attempt to get the season off to a successful start, although tougher tests will await.
Auckland will also be pleased with the performance of right wing AJ Lam, while Ofa Tuungafasi and new All Black Alex Hodgman had a good day at scrum time, earning a penalty try in the second half.
For Otago, No. 10 Josh Ioane had his moments, but he was playing behind a well-defeated group and didn’t enjoy the space afforded to his opposite, Harry Plummer.
The contest fell through a bit in the fourth quarter, but with Auckland dominating territory and possession, there was little chance that Otago would return.
Ioane’s try after half time was another sign of his growing authority in center position, as he ran a good support line after a good break from Plummer.
However, what really stood out was his defensive work and speed off the line, and Otago’s baseline was constantly under pressure.
Ioane was still hard at work late in the second half, and a graceful break in midfield nearly set up another attempt from Auckland, but replacement middle Danny Tusitala disallowed the inside pass.
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Josh Ioane takes a break for Otago on Saturday.
Big Hoskins Sotutu grew up in the game, while Akira Ioane made a heavy charge in the first half.
Locks Jack Whetton and Scott Scrafton, coming off strong Super Rugby seasons, were powerful in the engine room as well.
Hooker Leni Apisal scored the first series of the game, breaking out from a lineout series after the Auckland scrum generated a penalty at scrum time.
Auckland’s size advantage was revealing in the first quarter as clashes dominated, but two Ioane penalties kept the home team close behind.
As the half unfolded, Otago grew in confidence as they worked hard to bring Ioane, Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki into the game, but found Auckland’s aggressive defense difficult to break.
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Auckland’s Hoskins Sotutu looks for a hole in defense against Otago.
The class difference arose when Auckland managed to hold the ball and generate some pressure, and wing AJ Lam ran a superb line into midfield to score Auckland’s second try after the half hour.
Auckland came back in a few minutes later after Lam won a high ball, fullback Jordan Trainor made a nice break down the middle and Apisai ran a good support line to grab his second.
That pushed Auckland’s lead to 24-6 as halftime approached, and Clarke then showed his immense strength on the left wing by ignoring three potential tacklers in an impossible position to keep the ball alive.
Nothing would come of the play, but he did emphasize how much power Auckland has at its disposal with its All Blacks on deck.
Auckland 38 (Leni Apisai (2), AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane attempts, penalty attempt, Harry Plummer 4 with, pen) Otago 6 (Pencil Josh Ioane 2,). HT:
MVP Points: 3 Rieko Ioane, 2 AJ Lam, 1 Alex Hodgman
