Israel Dagg had little ball to show his wares as he did in his hat-trick outing against Otago, but his hefty right boot was on show. Photo / Getty Images
Hawke's Bay 35
Counties Manukau 11
So much for the Premiership and Championship divide.
As they did in 2014, the Championship province Hawke's Bay came to Pukekohe, saw and conquered. This time they already had the Ranfurly Shield, but the manner in which they went about their work was again
impressive. They scored four tries and could have had at least three more, such was their dominance.
Fullback Israel Dagg had little ball to show his wares as he did in his hat-trick outing against Otago, but his hefty right boot was on show. His old mate Zac Guildford had an eventful night on the right wing, scoring one intercept try, having two ruled out and lucky to avoid a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Cardiff Vaega. All Blacks prop Ben Franks got through 63 minutes of work for Hawke's Bay.
The highlight for the Steelers, other than some rugged charges by No 8 Maama Vaipulu, was a jarring hit by Johnny Fa'auli on his opposite Andrew Horrell. But it was too little, too late.
