Rugby: Hawke's Bay Tuis and Saracens run riot

The Hawke's Bay Saracens won a third consecutive Hurricanes Development competition title on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

"We can't pretend to be the underdogs any longer."

These were the words of Hawke's Bay Tuis assistant coach Shaun Bell after their 52-10 win against North Harbour Hibiscus in Saturday's Farah Palmer Cup Championship rugby match at Napier's McLean Park.

It was a televised match so there will be plenty of footage available to the coaching staffs of their remaining opponents in round-robin play - Tasman and Manawatu.

"That should be enough to give us a semifinal but we will aim for two more wins so we get a home semifinal," former Magpie Bell said.

As the score suggests the Tuis were dominant. Their scrum functioned well and won four tight heads. Their lineout work was outstanding and their defensive systems were cohesive.

Winger Tori Iosefo deserved her hat-trick. The support play from the backs inside her was superb with Black Ferns first five-eighth Krysten Cottrell classy in all aspects of play.

Centre Te Maari MacGregor had her best game of the season while former Black Ferns halfback Emma Jensen again displayed the benefits of her vast experience.

Meanwhile, the Hawke's Bay Saracens won their Hurricanes Development competition for a third consecutive year with a 100-15 drubbing of Manawatu Development in the final encounter of their round-robin at Napier's Park Island on Saturday.

Second five-eighth Neria Fomai was electric in the midfield and scored a hat-trick.

Saracens manager Tim Jones said Fomai was putting his hand up for a Magpies contract.

Hooker Jack Nelson-Murray and flanker Damien Scott again had high work rates in the host pack.

While the Saracens were unbeaten in their competition, Jones said they are expecting a tough encounter when they host the Wellington Development team at Park Island this weekend.