World Cup hopeful Israel Dagg scored a second half hat-trick to propel Hawke's Bay to a 39-22 away win in their provincial rugby match against Otago in Dunedin.
Israel Dagg in action for Hawke's Bay Photo: Photosport
Dagg's in a tough contest to make the final cut for the All Blacks World Cup squad, but did his hopes no harm with his triple for the Ranfurly Shield holders against the Razorbacks.
Otago scored the opening through the winger Tony Ensor, before the Magpies' Michael Allardyce crossed the line in a driving maul set from a line out.
The visitors 10-5 half-time lead was soon extended as Dagg dotted down thrice, and his team-mates Ihaia West and Richard Buckman scored impressive solo tries.
Two late tries to Otago's Micheal Collins and Josh Dixon restored a semblence of respectability to the scoreline.
Earlier on Saturday, Southland defeated Northland 27-18 in Whangarei.
Lima Sopoaga kicks for Southland, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The visitors were inspired by the return of their All Black first five eighth Lima Sopoaga, who kicked two conversions, two penalties and set up a try.
The Stags flanker Tim Boys scored the opening try from a chargedown in the 5th minute.
Five minutes later the Northland halfback Sam Nock dotted down against the post from a pick and go.
The 10-10 half-time score line soon changed to favour Southland in the second half when centre, Kieran Moffat, scored from an intercept.
The stags winger Lolohea Loco added to the advantage five minutes later when he was slipped a pass by Sopoaga who had broken the line after moving from first-five-eighth to fullback.
Ten minutes from full-time the Taniwha's reserve half-back, Kurt Davies, struck back for Northland after an intense skirmish on the line.
With time up on the clock, Northland's desperation for a match winning try turned to tragedy when their prop, Matt Talaese, was red carded for shoulder charging Boys' head at a ruck.
Sopoaga kicked the penalty to deny Northland a bonus point.
In the weekend's first match of round two, Waikato defeated Manawatu 28-21 in Palmerston North.
Waikato's Liam Messam returned from All Black duty to lead his team to victory over Manawatu, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Both teams scored three tries, but the goal kicking of the Chiefs star player Damian McKenzie gave the visitors the edge.
Shaun Stevenson scored the opener in the corner for Waikato in just the second minute before the Manawatu fullback, Hamiora Thomas, was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock on 15 minutes later.
The visitors capitalised on their one man advantage when the prop, Loni Uhila, crashed over from a pick and go.
Waikato also lost a player to the bin in the 34th minute when the second-five-eighth Jordan Payne was yellow carded for playing the ball on the ground.
Their 18-0 half-time advantage was short lived when Manawatu's Jason Emery scored a length of the field try just after the break.
Payne was only back on the field for four minutes when his team-mate the All Black, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, was sin-binned for an intentional knock on.
Fraser Armstrong struck back with a try for the home-team in the 51st minute before McKenzie added a try to his haul of three penalties and two conversions.
With 10 minutes to play, Nathan Tudreu, dotted down for the Turbos who couldn't score another try to avoid their second defeat in two matches.
