Caleb Clarke scored a hat-trick as the Auckland Blues crushed the Waikato Chiefs 41-10 on Saturday to win their first full Super Rugby title since 2003.
The ruthless home side had too much muscle in wet conditions at Eden Park, scoring five tries to triumph in the final in style.
The Blues had won a Super Rugby Trans-Tasman crown in 2021 during a reduced competition because of the pandemic.
Trailing 20-3 at halftime, the Chiefs were effectively shut out as the Blues nullified the influence of fly-half Damian McKenzie.
The damp conditions suited the Blues pack, whose effective style under new coach Vern Cotter has proved difficult to contain in winning 15 of 17 games this season.
Blues fly-half Harry Plummer landed all seven shots at goal in a 16-point haul as the Blues notched a 16th successive win at Eden Park.
Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race…
Read the Full News at www.foxsports.com.au
Stay Up-to-Date WithRugby News at sportyjones.com