Super Rugby Pacific: Super-sub Zarn Sullivan stars as Blues rout NSW Waratahs for back-to-back wins

Try-doubles from super-sub Zarn Sullivan and hooker Ricky Riccitelli has guided the Blues to a comprehensive 55-21 victory over the NSW Waratahs.

It's the first time the Auckland side have won back-to-back games this season in Super Rugby Pacific, with the result never in doubt.

Sullivan scores his second try.
Sullivan scores his second try. Photo credit: Getty Images

The visitors made the daunting trip to Auckland knowing they hadn't won at Eden Park since 2009 - their only triumph at the ground in their history.

And early signs suggested the trend would continue, as the Blues showed plenty of intent early on to attack the space.

Blues wingers Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea were at their devasting best with ball in hand, but it was Riccitelli that scored the game's try.

After fullback Stephen Perofeta opened the scoring with penalty goal, Riccitelli - with the help of Anton Segner right behind him, crashed over after a five-metre lineout.

One of several charging Clarke runs put the Blues in good field position, which allowed Perofeta to add to his tally off the boot from a dominant scrum penalty.

With the rain bucketing down in Auckland for much of the day, both teams struggled to maintain possession, with plenty of promising attacks undone by unforced errors.

The Waratahs did find reprieve through hooker Mahe Vailanu, after he broke away from a maul to crash over for the try with the Blues defence in all sorts.

But he soon went from hero to villain, as he tried to win a crucial turnover right on his own tryline, just to be shown a yellow card for his efforts instead.

The Blues made the Waratahs pay immediately, with replacement Sullivan charging onto a clever Beauden Barrett tap-on to score the try.

Up 20-7 at halftime, the Blues showed little sign of letting up in the second half, scoring a further 35 points against the hapless visitors.

Sullivan needed just five minutes afterthe break to cross for this second try, charging onto another good pass to crash over.

But anything he could do, Ricitelli could do as well, as he went over from close range to add to his try-scoring tally.

Clarke would finally be rewarded for his efforts with a five-pointer, after second-five Harry Plummer found his winger with a beautifully-timed pop pass.

After a disastrous opening 20 minutes of the second half, the Waratahs finally found their feet on attack, as both sides exchanged two further tries each.

Waratahs winger Dylan Pietsch split the defence to go over, before Blues lock Sam Darry crashed over to extend the lead.

Replacement halfback Teddy Wilson used the wet weather to his advantage to slip out of a few tackles to score.

But it was the Blues that would have the last say through replacement Cameron Suafoa with the help of his teammates to glide over.

Blues 55 (Riccitelli 2, Sullivan 2, Clarke, Darry, Suafoa tries; Barrett 6 con, Perofeta 1 con, 2 pen) Waratahs 21 (Vailanu, Pietsch, Wilson tries; Donaldson 2 con, Bowen 1 con)