Cheetahs 26 Blues 50

Joe Rokocoko grabbed a hat-trick of tries to inspire the Auckland Blues to a 50-26 triumph over the Cheetahs in the Super 14 on Saturday.

The New Zealanders piled up seven tries to four and claimed outright top spot on the table.

The Blues struck in the 11th minute when centre Isaia Toeava scored the first of his two touchdowns.

Left wing Gavin Passens replied for the South Africans with a 22nd-minute try before Rokocoko pounced on a loose ball to put the Blues 21-5 ahead.

Centre J.W. Jonker closed the gap to nine points with a 39th-minute try after the hosts laid siege to the Blues line.

But the match was effectively ended as a contest when Toeava and Rokocoko scored to give the visitors a 38-19 advantage.

Replacement forward Kabamba Floors earned a bonus point for the Cheetahs in the 72nd minute when he scored after the home side won a heel against the head.

Rokocoko completed his hat-trick when he evaded two tackles to crash over with a minute left.

Blues flyhalf Nick Evans kicked six conversions and a penalty for a personal haul of 15 points.

AUCKLAND BLUES 50 (Joe Rokocoko 3, Isaia Toeava 2, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake tries; Nick Evans 6 cons, pen) bt CENTRAL CHEETAHS 26 (Gavin Passens, JW Jonker, Heinrich Brussow, Kabamba Floors tries; Conrad Barnard 2 cons, Meyer Bosman con) at Bloemfontein, South Africa. Referee: Brett Bowden (AUS)

Reuters