Match Centre: Super Rugby Pacific: Blues 55-21 Waratahs

Blues 55-21 Waratahs, Eden Park

Ricky Riccitelli and Zarn Sullivan scored doubles as Blues went on to defeat Waratahs in the latest round of the Super Rugby Pacific at Eden Park on Saturday.

Blues now have five wins from eight matches as they climbed to the fifth position in the table while Waratahs are at ninth place after managing just two wins from eight matches.

The home side were off the mark early after Waratahs were penalised for offside and Stephen Perofeta kicked a three-pointer to start the proceedings before Ricky Riccitelli burrowed his way over after getting aid from Anton Segner. Perofeta kicked the conversion as Blues raced to a 10-0 lead.

With Blues winning another scrum penalty, Perofeta kicked to perfection making it 13-0. The first response from Waratahs came in the 29th minute as they set up a line out drive at the end of which Mahe Vailanu went past Mark Telea to touchdown. Ben Donaldson kicked the conversion to make it 13-7.

As the break was approaching, Waratahs were down to 14 players temporarily with Vailanu sin-binned for entering a ruck illegally and with the numerical advantage on their side, Zarn Sullivan dotted down for the hosts as they completed the opening half with a 20-7 lead.

Blues made a dominating start to the second half with tries from Sullivan and Caleb Clarke before Dylan Pietsch and Sam Darry traded tries to make it 48-14. Waratahs had their third try as Wilson scooped past a couple of ineffective tackle to touchdown Nevertheless, Cameron Suafoa capped off with a seventh try for the Blues as they sealed a comfortable victory.

Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu has urged his side to continue improving despite the victory.

"We'll be happy with a win, but a lot to work on," he said,

"We managed to stay composed, build on longer phases and with our counter (attack), we were able to break through and get some points from there."

In his first Super Rugby start, Waratahs fullback Harry Wilson left the game in the second-half after failing a head injury assessment.