It won't be known until later next week whether the Magpies will have the services of second five-eighth Danny Toala, who left the field in the 10th minute for a head injury assessment and wasn't allowed to return.
There will be plenty of interest in whether or not utility back Tiaan Falcon gets another opportunity after his spectacular return.
Chiefs squad member Falcon made his first appearance of the season for the Magpies when he took the field as a 46th minute substitute at fullback.
He celebrated his first outing in 13 months after Achilles and shoulder surgeries with a 54 metre penalty kick in the 62nd minute.
Four minutes later Falcon beat four defenders during a spectacular run before sending halfback Folau Fakatava over for a try.
Falcon finished the match with five defenders beaten and an average gain of 22.50 metres from his two carries.
After being part of a loose forward trio which was outplayed the previous weekend, Magpies No 8 Gareth Evans produced a player-of-the-match display on Thursday night and was outstanding in all aspects of play. His ability to steal many of the Steelers lineout throws was top shelf.
Evans, lock Tom Parsons and captain and hooker Ash Dixon were all prominent in a Magpies pack which had no passengers.
Fakatava, first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie and Falcon were classy in the backline.
The Magpies did well to keep their missed tackle count to 18 in the difficult weather conditions, six less than the Steelers. The biggest concern for the Magpies must be the 15 penalties conceded.
A repeat of that figure against the Mako will be catastrophic.
The Magpies were lucky the Steelers lineout was suspect on Thursday night and they were also fortunate referee Mike Winter awarded a try to Dixon in the 28th minute when he appeared to lose the ball over the tryline.
The fact the Magpies conceded just 11 turnovers in the difficult conditions was pleasing.
Co-captain and openside flanker Sam Henwood was the best of the Steelers with a huge workrate.
Former Magpies midfielder Cardiff Vaega didn't get too many opportunities before he was substituted in the 53rd minute.
In the wake of this defeat the Steelers will be relegated to the Championship next year.
Match highlights
Heartstopper: When Magpies blindside flanker Marino Mikaele-Tu'u was sin binned for a dangerous clean out in the 38th minute. Fortunately the Magpies didn't concede any points while he was on the sideline.
Turning point: When Magpies substitute fullback Tiaan Falcon kicked his 54 metre penalty in the 62nd minute to give the visitors a 15-3 lead. The Steelers were never going to recover from this deficit.
Player of the match: Magpies No 8 Gareth Evans. A powerful 62 minutes in which his numerous lineout steals proved valuable.
Scorers:
Hawke's Bay 22 (Tom Parsons, Ash Dixon, Folau Fakatava tries; Lincoln McClutchie con; Tiaan Falcon pen, con ), Counties Manukau 10 (Johnathan Kawau try; Orbyn Leger pen, con). HT: 12-3.
