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The NSW Waratahs beats the Auckland Blues at home 27-22 in their trial clash ahead of their Super 12 rugby campaign.
Ewen McKenzie can count on one hand the number of times the NSW Waratahs have beaten the Auckland Blues at home, so Friday's 27-22 trial game win was a boost for the coach ahead of their Super 12 rugby campaign.
McKenzie will on Monday name the squad to take on the Chiefs in the season opener at Sydney's Aussie Stadium next Friday and will review video tapes from the side's last few showings before finalising the list.
He is spoilt for choice at blindside flanker with Rocky Elsom and Stephen Hoiles given a chance to impress in Whangarei, New Zealand, while Wycliff Palu remained out with a corked knee.
The Waratahs have had a mixed pre-season defeating last year's runner up, the Crusaders, in Sydney last weekend 39-14 but losing to arch-rival Queensland 38-0 earlier on.
McKenzie said recent wins, including the one against the Waratahs A team in Auckland on Tuesday, indicated the side was in reasonable but not perfect form ahead of their Super 12 onslaught.
"It was a good effort from the squad," McKenzie said.
"It gives the guys confidence, I can count on one hand the number of times we've beaten Auckland over here so they are hard to play against."
McKenzie commended the side saying fullback Mat Rogers, who is fresh back from injury, performed strongly kicking two conversions and a penalty to help NSW to victory.
NSW dominated most of the first half with a converted try from hooker Adam Freier, but the side was quickly put to the test with an uncoverted try to All Black star Joe Rokocoko out wide.
Minutes later new five eighth Lachlan Mackay impressed by scoring a try off a Shaun Berne charge down.
McKenzie said Mackay looked "reasonably comfortable" but gave nothing away about who would occupy the important position next Friday.
A converted try to All Black Mils Muliaina followed putting the home side within two points of the lead at half time.
Four minutes into the second half Wallaby winger Lote Tuqiri crossed the line in the corner, and while Rogers was unsuccessful in his conversion, he later slotted a penalty goal to take the score to 22-12.
The Blues were soon back in the match with a try from prop Saimone Taumoepeau to narrow the Waratahs' lead to five points once again.
A five pointer from Cameron Shepherd opened the gap to 10 points with as many minutes remaining, but the Blues hit back once again through Rokocoko's second try of the match.
