Counties Manukau have caused the biggest shock result of the National Provincial Championship (NPC).
The Steelers punished a poor Wellington side at Pukekohe's Navigation Homes Stadium on Friday night, reclaiming the Jonah Tali Lomu Memorial Trophy with a 51-12 victory.
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Counties Manukau scored six tries from six different scorers, while first-five AJ Alatimu contributed 26 points via a try, six conversions and three penalties, to resurrect their NPC quarterfinals chances.
The Steelers moved back into eighth spot on 23 points, but have played one more match than North Harbour (18) and two more than Auckland (17).
After a slow start, just 3-0 after 25 minutes, Counties Manukau scored three converted tries from prop Kauvaka Kaivelata, Alatimu and hooker Ian West-Stevens for a 24-0 halftime lead.
It was more Counties in the second half, with fullback Simon-Peter Toleafoa, and flankers Cameron Church and Adam Brash scoring in a 10-minute spell to push out 48-0.
Wellington scored two late tries to captain Peter Umaga-Jensen and No 8 Jeremiah Avei-Collins but it could not prevent the embarrassment.
The Steelers complete their regular season against Manawatu in Palmerston North next Saturday (kick-off 2.05pm), while Wellington host Hawke's Bay at Sky Stadium later that day (kick-off 4.35pm).
Counties Manukau 51 (Kauvaka Kaivelata, AJ Alatimu, Ian West-Stevens, Simon-Peter Toleafoa, Cameron Church, Adam Brash tries; AJ Alatimu 6 con, 3 pen) Wellington 12 (Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jeremiah Avei-Collins tries; Callum Harkin con). HT: 24-0
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