Super Rugby: Sunwolves crushed 57-12 by Waratahs
By AP
Last Updated: 02/07/16 12:21pm
Reece Robinson scored two second-half tries as the Waratahs overwhelmed the Sunwolves 57-12 in Tokyo on Saturday.
Robinson crossed in the 46th minute for a 33-12 lead and the visitors put the game beyond reach with another converted try a minute later.
Matt Lucas, Matt Carraro and Taqele Naiyaravoro added further tries against the fading hosts to complete the rout.
The Waratahs started strongly when Lucas ran in the first try in the 11th minute and Bernard Foley kicked the extras for an early 7-0 lead.
The Sunwolves fought back with four penalties but two more tries from Jack Dempsey and Israel Folau gave the Waratahs a comfortable 21-12 lead at halftime.
The bonus-point triumph lifted the Waratahs up to 39 points with two rounds remaining, matching the Brumbies' tally as the battle for Australian supremacy appears destined to be decided in the final round of fixtures.
The Sunwolves' defeat came days after the team announced that coach Mark Hammett will leave the embryonic Tokyo-based club at the end of the season.
The 43-year-old, who has endured a troubled first season in the southern hemisphere's premier club competition, is returning to New Zealand to take up a role as assistant coach of the Otago Highlanders.