Waikato fire at last

Pivotal return: Donald claimed nineteen points

Waikato finally broke their ANZ Cup duck with a clinical 34-13 bonus-point victory over Auckland in Hamilton on Saturday.

Tony Hanks' side were in scintillating form with All Blacks Stephen Donald and Sione Lauaki their star performers as the defending champions struggled to keep pace in a one-sided encounter.

Auckland did strike first though when Lachie Munro slotted a simple penalty before the hosts quickly found some rhythm in front of their patient fans.

Smooth hands in the backline saw wing Tim Mikkelson cross with Donald converting for the first of his nineteen-point haul.

But the hosts, who were welcoming back talismanic wing Joe Rokocoko to their ranks, responded emphatically through dynamic centre Ben Atiga's score that pushed them back in front as the lead changed hands almost effortlessly.

This time fly-half Donald added three on 22 minutes as Waikato continued their dangerous-looking assaults on the Auckland line with pressure mounting as phases wore on.

The much-criticised Lauaki then found some imposing form as he cut loose on a flurry of occasions with his powerful and elusive runs terrorising the visitors before his ten took over the baton.

Dan Carter's understudy demonstrated his class with another one of his trademark chip and gathers as the score was stretched to 17-8 on the whistle.

That lead was extended to twelve after the break as Donald sent over another penalty before Lauaki broke once more, this time finding centre Callum Bruce on his shoulder to slide over.

Opposing wing Simon Munro did grab what looked like a consolation score wide out for Auckland even with half-an-hour remaining on the clock.

And so it proved as another Lauaki break found wing Soseni Anesi who sprinted down the sideline before passing inside to replacement hooker Ole Avei to cross for a very popular bonus-point try.

The scorers:

For Waikato:

Tries: Mikkelson, Donald, Bruce, Avei

Con: Donald 4

Pen: Donald 2

For Auckland:

Tries: Atiga, Munro

Pen: Munro

Waikato: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Tim Mikkelson, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Malcolm Barnes, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tom Harding, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Aled de Malmanche/Toby Smith, 2 Vern Kamo, 1 Hikairo Forbes.

Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Toby Smith/Josh Hohneck, 18 Kent Fife, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Josh Sutherland, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 James Kamana.

Auckland: 15 Lachie Munro, 14 Simon Munro, 13 Ben Atiga (c), 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Isaia Toeava, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Chris Lowrey, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Nick White.

Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Paea Fa'anunu, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Jamie Helleur, 22 Winston Stanley.

Referee: Steve Walsh

Television match official: Ben Skeen