• Auckland claim bonus-point victory
• Melani Nanai crossed for two tries early in the second spell to put the game beyond reach

Auckland will travel back home this evening knowing they have done the job against Northland with plenty of positives to take from their second win in as many matches.

It was a much more complete showing from the blue and white hoops, but they will look to Thursday night against Waikato to put together a complete 80-minute performance and build on the early second half blitz that put the game out of reach for the Taniwha in Whangarei this afternoon.

Auckland were offered a gilt-edged chance within the first ten minutes when a solid scrum looked to have provided enough time and space for the men out wide to cross. Harry Plummer however, delayed his pass by a split-second and spilled the ball in heavy contact from former All Black Rene Ranger.

Auckland didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity, this time against the run of play. Melani Nanai was able to break away down the right-hand edge and get the offload away, as he was being brought down with the line in sight, to Harry Plummer who strolled over untouched and then convert his own try from wide out.

Northland didn’t take long to reply through their talisman Rene Ranger who was able to exploit quick turnover ball and launch a scything counter-attack from inside his own half before linking up with Blake Hohaia to level the score.

Ranger was again in the action soon after. Quick hands down the blind side saw Northland break towards the Auckland line at pace and with three-on-one, fullback Jordan Trainor was unable to stop the former All Black from dotting down.

Starting the second half well was going to be key for both sides, and it was Auckland who came out firing. Jordan Trainor was able to ignite the blue and white with some sparkling footwork putting him beyond the Northland defence before an assured offload inside to Melani Nanai saw the winger stroll over adjacent to the posts.

Nanai was in the thick of it again only a few minutes later with a slight of hand from Leon Fukofuka at the base of the ruck from 22 metres out saw the flying winger stride through underneath the posts for his second of the afternoon. Plummer made no mistake in extending the Auckland lead to nine.

Auckland were on a roll and were in the Northland red zone again soon after. Back-to-back penalty advantages allowed them to play with plenty of freedom and deft hands from halfback Leon Fukofuka gave Salesi Rayasi enough space to crash over from close-range for the bonus point try.

From then it was a matter of Auckland quelling any chance of a Northland comeback. Stout defence and playing in the right areas meant the visitors were never really threatened for the final twenty minutes and were able to cruise home with reasonable comfort.

Auckland next come up against Waikato on Thursday at Eden Park and with the tight turnaround, recovery between now and then will be crucial as they look to go three on the bounce to open the season.

Auckland 28 (H Plummer, M Nanai 2, S Rayasi tries; H Plummer 4 conversions)

Northland 12 (B Hohaia, R Ranger tries; J Debreczeni conversion)

(Halftime: 7 - 12)