Hawke's Bay have shown the difference between Super Rugby, internationals and hardened NPC players against a Heartland team.
The Magpies put away Whanganui for their second defence of this Ranfurly Shield era, scoring 12 tries in an 80-5 victory at Napier’s McLean Park on Saturday.
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Welshman Mat Protheroe scored two from fullback late in the first half, while Samoan international Danny Toala and substitute wing Kere Penetito also both crossed for a pair each.
The home team scored seven tries in the first half for a score of 45-0 at the break.
Whanganui scored their try in the final 20 minutes of the game as substitute prop Kamipeli Latu charged over after a strong run by fullback Tyler Rogers-Holden.
Runner up in the NPC last year, the Magpies were in charge from the start on the newly re-sown McLean Park turf.
The first-half blitz included four tries among the new imported back three of Highlanders wing Freedom Vahaakolo, Brumbies and former Australia Sevens star Ben O’Donnell, and fullback Protheroe.
Up next for the Hawke's Bay side is a pre-season clash with Waikato in Taupo next weekend.
Their first match of the NPC is against North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium on August 11.
Hawke’s Bay 80 (Matt Protheroe 2, Danny Toala 2, Kere Penetito 2, Joel Hintz, Freedon Vahaakolo, Ben O’Donnell, Tim Farrell, Mei Manase, Sam Wye tries; Harry Godfrey 10 con) Whanganui 5 (Kamipeli Latu try). HT: 45-0