Auckland has turned on easily its best display of the season to retain the John Drake Memorial Boot against Bay of Plenty at Eden Park.

There were several key performers in the 38-0 Mitre 10 Cup crossover victory, notably blindside flanker and player of the day Taleni Seu, openside flanker Blake Gibson, halfback Jono Hickey, centre Vince Aso, left wing Joe Ravouvou – whose early double was critical – and fullback Melani Nanai.

But the most noteworthy feature of Auckland’s win was that they led 23-0 at halftime with less than half the ball and commanding only 22 percent of the territory. Their defence was staunch, accurate and committed and, even when prop Marcel Renata was in the sinbin, they were able to repel the Steamers’ attack time and again.

Ravouvou, in his first outing of 2017 for the team, benefitted from some slick attacking play by Seu to score after just five minutes, the try stretching for some 70m. He then finished well again just minutes later after Auckland had made a quick tap, displaying a sharp shimmy off his left foot.

The score was a substantial 23-0 at the break, with Hickey flawless off the tee. He scored 18 points to take him past 100 career points for the union. All the first half stats, however, were in favour of Bay of Plenty, except the scoreline.

Harry Plummer made his debut at halftime at No 10, acquitting himself well, as did halfback Nico Costa later in the half.

Auckland upped the ante in their attacking game in the second spell. Seu made another long range and telling burst to set up Aso for his sixth try of the season, and then Aso repaid the favour for Nanai. The Ponsonby threequarter may have crossed for another but for a forward pass.

The Steamers were down 38-0 but showed heart in scoring three late tries to reduce the final deficit, but it was too little, too late.

“It is by far the best display of the season. The energy and intent the boys showed was great. The biggest thing was the start. We actually scored points rather than playing catch-up in the first 10 minutes. The job is not done yet, but it’s a helluva lot better,” says head coach Nick White.

The first half defence, especially on the Steamers’ lineout drive, was very pleasing for White. The attack clicked a lot better too.

“A lot of that comes back to the breakdown. Guys were cleaning well and then out wide knowing when to pass and have a crack,” he says.

Auckland rose to fifth on the Premiership table and now have 17 competition points.

As part of Charity Day, Barfoot & Thompson made a very generous donation of $12,000 to the Starship Foundation for the four tries (at $2000 a try) and four penalty goals (at $1000 a penalty goal) scored by Auckland. There was also $557.25 collected from the crowd.

Auckland’s next match is the Premiership away clash with Tasman in Nelson on Sunday week. - Campbell Burnes

Auckland 38 (Joe Ravouvou 2, Vince Aso, Melani Nanai tries; Jono Hickey 3 con, 4 pen) Bay of Plenty 19 (Henry Stowers, Tom Franklin, Jesse Parete tries; Luke Campbell 2 con) HT: 23-0