6 Oct 2014

Manawatu thrash Hawke's Bay

11:24 am on 6 October 2014

Taranaki have secured a home semi-final in provincial rugby's Premiership division after overturning a 14-11 half-time deficit to trounce winless Wellington 38-22 in the capital.

Taranaki's Seta Tamanivalu pushes Lions' Shaun Treeby out of the way during the Wellington v Taranaki. October 2014.

Taranaki's Seta Tamanivalu pushes Lions' Shaun Treeby out of the way during the Wellington v Taranaki. October 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Waisake Naholo scored two tries for the visitors, while Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie and Jamison Gibson-Park also dotted down.

The Wellington fullback Matt Proctor grabbed a brace for the hosts as they stumbled to their 9th straight loss.

In contrast it was Taranaki's seventh straight win and they're back level with fellow playoff bound Tasman at the top of the premiership table, seven points clear of third placed Canterbury, who have also qualified for the semi-finals.

Wellington remains dead last with just two competition points from their season of woe.

Manawatu have risen to the top of the Championship ladder following their 29-3 thrashing of Hawke's Bay in Palmerston North.

Aaron Cruden

Aaron Cruden Photo: PHOTOSPORT

With Aaron Cruden coming off the bench at first five eighth, the Turbos scored two tries in each half to Michael Fitzgerald, Milner Skudder, Hamish Northcott and Callum Gibbins.