AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The Auckland Blues scored four second-half tries after trailing 16-10 at halftime to beat the ACT Brumbies 39-34 in a Super 14 rugby match Friday.
Center Rene Ranger scored one try and created two others, including the first of a pair for All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko, as the Blues posted their third win in five games.
Ranger scored his try, Rokocoko added his second and Benson Stanley and Isaia Toeava scored tries as the Blues ran in 26 points in the first 14 minutes of the second half.
The Brumbies scored tries through prop Selesi Ma'afu and replacements Huia Gordon and Patrick Phibbs, fighting back from 36-22 down after 54 minutes to almost take the game from Auckland. They took a consolation bonus point from their second loss in six games.
Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau kicked two conversions and five penalties for the Brumbies to take his record for the season to 21 goals from 23 attempts.
Stephen Brett kicked four conversions and a penalty for Auckland, then added a dropped goal a minute from fulltime to cap the Blues' win after ACT had closed within two points.
"I feel very proud today," said Auckland captain Keven Mealamu, who played his 100th Super rugby match. "The boys played out of their skins. What a crowd, what a way to top it off, what a good win.
"I thought the boys would be a bit shocked after the first half and to shrug that off and come back and score a few tries at the start of the second half showed the character of this team."
The Brumbies held the edge through a close first half, leading from the ninth minute when Ma'afu drove over the goal line for the game's first try.
Giteau converted and added penalties in the 16th, 25th and 39th minutes to ensure ACT took a lead to halftime. Auckland took its first points from a 13th-minute penalty to Brett while Rokocoko scored his first try in the 21st minute, running off a short pass from Ranger.
Ranger's try in the second minute of the second half began a burst of scoring by Auckland which altered the course of the game.
Brett's conversion cut the Brumbies' lead to 16-15. Two minutes later, Ranger's breakout from deep defense led to a try to Stanley which gave Auckland the lead for the first time.
Brett converted for a 22-16 advantage, cut to 22-19 when Giteau landed his fourth penalty.
Auckland swept onto the attack again and Rokocoko scored his second try from a pinpoint crossfield kick by Brett which beat the defense. It was Auckland's third try in only eight minutes.
Four minutes later, All Blacks fullback Toeava crossed for Auckland's fourth try of the half, its fifth of the match, and Auckland led 36-22.
Edmonds brought the Brumbies back into the match with his try in the 59th minute and Phibbs' try after 74 minutes slashed the lead to two points at 36-34. Brett's late dropped goal was enough to secure Auckland's win.
"I was happy with the way we fought back but we should never have put ourselves in that position," ACT captain Stephen Hoiles said.
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Scores:
Auckland 39 (Joe Rokocoko 2, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava tries; Stephen Brett 4 conversions, penalty, dropped goal), ACT 34 (Selesi Ma'afu, Huia Edmonds, Patrick Phibbs tries; Matt Giteau 2 conversions, 5 penalties). HT: 10-16.
