The fans that flocked to Mclean Park last night were treated to a lesson in true professionalism from what can only be described as an Auckland side of rare quality. What they showed Hawkes Bay people was exactly the ethics on the field the Magpies will need to emulate to become a possible finals contender in the future.

In the years I've been watching, and coaching rugby I have never seen a side so capable of gaining and mantaining posession as well as this side did. Hawkes Bay touched the ball approximately twice in the first 15 minutes, and it was in this facet of play that Auckland showed they are true contenders for the Air New Zealand cup this year. 

It wasnt all negatives for the Bay, and they can take a solid defensive effort, a capable scrum, and well planned try into their next assignment against Canterbury. Aucklands total dominance in the first fifteen minutes layed the platform last night, with their forwards mauling well, and using effective close in runners off the rucks. They were steered well around the field by Lachie Munro, who showed his talent is not just in the running game, with some very good tactical kicking.

Sam Tuitupou showed what a huge loss he will be when he leaves New Zealand at the end of this season. His running in the midfield was direct, and set his outsides up well.Up front Brad Mika showed what a class player he is, and alongside Daniel Braid had an outstanding game.

For Hawkes Bay Grant Webb was very impressive off the back of an often back peddling scrum. In the backline Israel Dagg looked solid, and Danny Lee showed touches of true class.

Hawkes Bay need to absorb last nights lessons very quickly before they face Canterbury in a possible Shield game next week in Christchurch. Coaches Russell and Coventry are both smart people and will no doubt have the Bay team watching the video of lasts night game closely .

On a negative note the touch judge in last night games needs to have a close look at himself. When you throw the ball into a lineout it has to go straight. Use your brain and speak to the referee. I dont mind losing at all, but lets have both sides subjected to the laws.

Auckland put in an explosive forward display to over-power Hawke's Bay and secure a convincing 38-11 victory at McLean Park on Thursday. The win takes them to the top of the Air New Zealand Cup table.

The win maintains Auckland's 100 per cent record and proved a reminder to the Napier outfit that they still have a long way to go before being realistic championship contenders.

The Aucklanders piled on the pressure from the kick-off through a forward pack brimming with experience and power.

The home crowd's cheers were nearly silenced within two minutes when halfback Taniela Moa hurried down the right wing. He seemed to score with an outstretched arm, but a applause erupted once more when the TMO adjudged Moa to have lost control of the ball.

Auckland made sure of their next opportunity after wave after wave of pressure eventually led to Hawke's Bay pivot Mathew Berquist fumbling twice before hooker Tom McCartney pounced to claim a simple opening try.

The second score didn't take long to follow as the Auckland pack showed its control once again, brushing aside the Magpies' forwards and enabling Brad Mika, starting in place of the injured Troy Flavell, to jaunt over unopposed and make it 10-0.

Full-back Brent Ward's usual sharp aim was off target however, missing both conversion attempts.

The visitors then tried to get their backline involved in the action, but their plan went against them as the change of ideas played right into the home side's hands, who got the crowd back involved with a number of sharp bursts involving its talented backline.

The Auckland defence held strong and Hawke's Bay could only respond through a Berquist penalty, a failure to put more points on the board proved costly just before the break.

When given the choice of taking a penalty kick to improve its lead, Auckland elected to keep driving the ball and skipper Sam Tuitupou eventually got through the mass of bodies on the line.

Another Berquist penalty after the buzzer took the sides into the changing rooms at 17-6, and Hawke's Bay were at least still in touch.

Auckland came out firing in the second half just like they did in the first and looked determined to press home their class advantage and again dominated the opening 20 minutes.

A few nervous penalties didn't help Hawke's Bay to relieve the pressure, and though it took until the 56th minute, the inevitable eventually happened when flank Jerome Kaino fought through from one of several goal-line rucks to make it 24-6 and register a four-try bonus point.

The Auckland backs pulled off a slick left to right movement for centre Benson Stanley - who switched from the wing due to Ben Atiga's injury during the week - to finish off.

With the result already decided at 31-6, both sides rung plenty of changes and gave its respective bench players an opportunity at game time before the final month of round robin competition.

Replacement utility back Lachie Munro benefited from a perfectly executed chip kick from fly-half Isa Nacewa to score three minutes from time, which Nacewa then converted from out on the right touchline, before Magpies full-back Ben Batger crossed over after the hooter for a consolation try.

It was little comfort though, to a Magpies side that had been reminded how hard it will be to mix it with the big boys on a regular basis.

Full time
Hawke's Bay    11
Auckland    38

Hawke's Bay
Tries Batger
Penalties Berquist 2

Auckland
Tries McCartney, Mika, Tuitupou, Kaino, Stanley, Munro
Conversions Ward, Nacewa 3