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Auckland Blues go top after mauling the Cheetahs

Auckland Blues went top of the Super 14 table after scoring seven tries for the second consecutive game to defeat Central Cheetahs 50-26 on Saturday.

The former champions have a maximum 15 points after three rounds of the southern hemisphere inter-provincial championship, one more than compatriots Canterbury Crusaders who beat Western Stormers 22-0 on Friday in Cape Town.

And with the Golden Lions losing to Australian visitors Western Force, it has been another bleak weekend for South African franchises as dreams of a second consecutive title quickly evaporate.

Fit, slick and clinical, the Blues followed their 55-10 mauling of the Lions in Johannesburg by weathering early Cheetahs pressure to take an 11th-minute lead, which they never surrendered, and led 21-12 at halftime.

The Cheetahs suffered a huge blow seven minutes before halftime when captain Juan Smith, a key member of the 'Boks Rugby World Cup-winning team, went off with a knee injury.

A familiar story unfolded in a lively match with the Blues ruthlessly punishing poor defending while careless passing stopped the Cheetahs adding to the four tries that earned a bonus point.

It did not help the home team that Blues fly-half Nick Evans was in superb goal kicking form again for the visitors, converting six of the seven tries and succeeding with one of two penalty attempts.

Backs Joe Rokocoko (3), Isaia Toeava (2), Rudi Wulf and Anthony Tuitavake crossed the tryline for the Blues on a hot afternoon in the central city and Evans contributed the other 15 points, raising his tally to 40 from two games.

Backs Gavin Passens and J.W. Jonker, and forwards Heinrich Brussow and Kabamba Floors scored a try each for the Cheetahs, with Conrad Barnard converting two and Meyer Bosman one.

The Blues remain in South Africa next weekend for their final tour match, a repeat of last year's semi-final they lost to the Sharks in the Indian Ocean city of Durban.

After three consecutive home losses and only three points, the Cheetahs head for New Zealand where they face fellow strugglers Waikato Chiefs on Saturday.
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