Waikato piled on four second-half tries to secure a bonus-point 39-3 victory over Chiefs partners Counties Manukau at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.
Counties, missing first five-eighths Baden Kerr and Tana Umaga (rested), had the better of the first forty but costly errors inside the Waikato red-zone blew countless chances to cash in on expansive attacking raids.
The visitors trailed 3-7 at half-time but conceded 32 second-half points to a very different Waikato outfit after the break, which was led by a dominant forwards effort. Five tries – to Aled de Malmanche, a Tim Mikkelson brace, Sam Christie and Sosene Anesi - plus the accurate boot of Trent Renata meant it was a comfortable return to form for Waikato, who had lost its two previous matches.
Counties were not allowed the room to launch their favoured flamboyant style, especially in the second-half where they were effectively shut out of the match. However, it was a poor performance in contrast to their first four outings this season.
Both sides now share a three-win two-loss record, and have plenty to work on if they are to challenge for the pole positions.
Counties fullback Tim Nanai Williams opened the scoring with a 40m penalty, but it was the home side that cracked the first try.
Halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow, making the most of his start infront of All Black Brendon Leonard, provided a flat crisp pass that saw the powerful de Malmanche crash over. Renata converted for a 7-3 lead.
Waikato was conscious of Counties broken play danger and therefore looked to find space with their kicks or kept the ball in hand. This meant their attack was tentative and rarely threatened.
As the game opened up, Counties halfback August Pulu pulled off a try-saver on explosive Waikato wing Dwayne Sweeney and Anesi returned the favour, chopping Pulu down after he collected a Sherwin Stowers grubber – all in the space of two minutes.
The home side's scrambling defence allowed them to take a 7-3 half time lead.
One minute after the break, Liam Messam cleaned up a poor pass and offloaded to his loose-forward partner Jack Lam who put unmarked Sevens star Mikkelson over. Renata made no mistake.
Waikato had two in two minutes when Anesi ripped the ball clean from a ruck and sprinted 80m down the touchline to blow the game wide open. Renata nailed the extras and two penalties soon as his side took a 27-3 advantage.
A steamrolling Mooloo scrum demolished Counties to emphatically drive home their second half superiority.
Mikkelson finished an overlap and replacement pivot Christie garb a try to wrap up a comprehensive win.
Scorers:
Waikato 39
Tries: De Malmanche, Mikkelson 2, Anesi, Christie
Con: Renata 3, Sweeny
Pen: Renata 2
Counties Manukau 3
Pen: Nanai Williams
HT: 7-3