Blues repel weak Force

All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko scored a hat-trick as Auckland Blues kept alive their slim Super 14 play-off hopes with a 38-17 victory over Western Force at Eden Park.

Tony Woodcock, Alby Mathewson and Rudi Wulf also touched down as the home side scored six tries in all, while Luke McAlister slotted four conversions.

The Blues now head off for three matches in South Africa just four points out of fourth place, the final play-off spot, in the standings.

The Force made the early running and should have led by more than 3-0 after 15 minutes, full-back James O'Connor only able to land one of his three penalty opportunities and winger Mark Bartholomeusz passed up a certain try when he failed to hold on to a Ryan Cross pass.

And the visitors were made to pay when the Blues finally hit their straps.

Points flurry

In a 12-minute burst Rokocoko crossed twice and prop Woodcock, back in the side after a neck injury, grabbed a third to lift the Blues to a 19-3 lead.

Rokocoko collected a big cut-out pass from McAlister to dive over in the corner for his first try, while his second came from a good inside pass from Stephen Brett after Force captain Nathan Sharpe had deliberately hit the ball away to concede a penalty which was taken quickly by Mathewson.

Woodcock then rounded off a good team effort that saw the ball go through several pairs of hands after an initial charge through the weak Force defence by centre Benson Stanley.

McAlister, handed the kicking duties instead of Brett, converted two of them after a woeful first conversion attempt, then an equally poor penalty effort just prior to Rokocoko's second try.

The Force turned down a couple of shots at goal in search of a much-needed try.

But having held the ball through 13 phases they still could find no way through the solid Blues defence and eventually knocked on.

Another poor pass from Chris O'Young then saw another opportunity go begging just before the break.

The visitors turned down another penalty kick early in the second half opting again for a lineout.

But the Blues were able to repel the advance and then rubbed salt into the wound when Mathewson scooted over at the other end to claim the four-try bonus point.

Rokocoko then completed his hat-trick after good work by the forwards and another well-timed short ball from McAlister.

Replacements

The inside centre added the extras and the Blues were looking well in control at 31-3 up, which gave coach Pat Lam the chance to give his bench players a run.

Even having a host of new players on failed to halt the Blues' momentum and 13 minutes from the end Wulf got the ball down for his side's sixth with McAlister again providing the final pass before stepping up to slot the simple conversion.

The Force were then denied a try to loose forward Matt Hodgson when it was ruled he knocked on in the in-goal area, although it looked like Woodcock may have got a hand to it to bat it over the dead-ball line.

But the visitors continued to press for the elusive try and they were finally rewarded when openside flanker Pocock went over by the posts and then the penalty try was awarded.