Blues through to Super Rugby Pacific semi finals after 41-12 demolish of the Waratahs

The Blues are the first team to qualify for the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific after demolishing the NSW Waratahs 41-12 last night.

Auckland's Eden Park once again proved to be a burial ground for Australian rugby teams as the Blues put the Waratahs to the sword after a promising start from the visitors through a try to Ned Hanigan after 3 minutes of the first half.

However, the Blues piled on 38 straight points to preserve the record of no New Zealand team losing a Super Rugby finals match on home turf to Australian opposition since the competition began in 1996.

The Blues tries came from Finlay Christie, Nepo Laulala, Ricky Riccitelli, Zarn Sullivan and Mark Telea.

This is Telea's 12th try of the season and he has equalled the record held by Blues legend Doug Howlett, 20 years ago.

In other quarter finals, the Chiefs will meet the Reds at 4.35 this afternoon, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will face the Crusaders at 7.05 tonight, and the Brumbies will take on the Hurricanes at 9.35 tonight.