This was the Counties Manukau of old, or at least the 2012-13 vintage, as they trounced Wellington 55-7.
Off the back of an irresistible first half, in which they led 38-0 with five tries, including two when No 8 Maama Vaipulu was in the bin, the Steelers' ability to offload, blow over at the ruck to enable quick ball, and ruthless finishing, were all too much for a Wellington low on confidence and uncertain how best to attack the energised home side, and porous in their defensive line.
It was their first win over Wellington since 2010, and hammered one nail in the capital's 2014 rugby coffin. Relegation to the 2015 Championship surely awaits Chris Boyd's charges, sitting on just two competition points and with an 0-7 record
Relegation these days is not the end of the world like it once was in the NPC, but this is little consolation for staunch Wellington rugby folk.
Victor Vito was back at No 8 for Wellington, but was powerless to overturn a tide of red, white and black. It was all a far cry from last season's corresponding fixture, when Wellington put a 55-16 sword through the Steelers on this very ground.
Nothing went right for the Lions, from running into each other, obstruction, to overthrowing lineouts. Perhaps it is a cunning ploy to lull Hawkes Bay into complacency on Wednesday when the Ranfurly Shield goes on the line...
Mercurial Steelers No 10 Ahsee Tuala had one of those nights where it almost all fell into place. He scored 18 points, kicked his goals and almost set up fullback Sherwin Stowers with a nicely weighted grubber. Yet he was subbed due to injury at halftime. His halfback Augustine Pulu scored two tries and played like he was the second-best No 9 in the country, which his Chiefs coach Dave Rennie believes he can be.
The other Steelers backs, so inconsistent for much of the season, ran with gusto and men like Rey Lee-Lo, in his 50th game for the union, and Bundee Aki, cut holes in the Lions' defensive line almost at will. Tim Nanai-Williams scored a double off the bench.
Blindside flanker Jordan Taufua ran with his customary vigour, while Onosa'i Auva'a and captain Ronald Raaymakers, who left late in a lot of pain, were also prominent in the pack.
Wellington now have four days to lick their wounds and prepare for the Shield challenge in Napier, while the Steelers will travel to Invercargill next Saturday for a clash with the Stags.
Counties Manukau 55 (A. Pulu 2, T. Nanai-Williams 2, S. Taufalele, F. Halai, A. Tuala tries; Tuala 5 con, pen, Nanai-Williams con, pen, S. Stowers con), Wellington 7 (A. Curtis try; W. Ripia con). HT: 38-0 Counties Manukau.
