Manawatu are in the box seat for a home semifinal after vanquishing Hawkes Bay 29-3 today in a battle between two teams chasing promotion.
Aaron Cruden came off the bench in the second spell to make his maiden appearance of the ITM Cup season but the Turbos hardly needed the All Black's help, earning the victory in a completely dominant opening half.
The win in Palmerston North lifts Manawatu to the top of the second tier ahead of next week's final round, ensuring they will be in charge of their own destiny when visiting Otago on Friday.
Hawkes Bay, too, will be able to lock up a home semifinal provided they beat Southland and retain the Ranfurly Shield next week, an occasion that may have played on the Magpies' minds today.
The visitors generated very little in blustery conditions at FMG Stadium, unable to enjoy anything resembling the free-flowing attack they have exhibited during their reign with the Log O' Wood.
While Hawkes Bay were limited with ball in hand, that lack of imagination was also due to Manawatu's control. Playing with a considerable breeze in the first half, the Turbos used their familiarity with the conditions to lead 17-0 at the break.
The hosts spent the entire opening quarter camped in and around the opposition 22, showing great patience to recycle the ball through numerous phases and convert their pressure into points through Michael Fitzgerald.
A solitary try was only scant reward given the one-way nature of the game, with Manawatu enjoying 90 per cent territory after half an hour, but the scoreboard was given a fairer reflection by Nehe Milner-Skudder's try.
Hawkes Bay might have been hoping the roles would reverse when the teams switches sides but that never eventuated, with Manawatu providing a tutorial of how to play into the wind. The Turbos kept it tight around they edges, limited any expansive play and seemed content to keep their lead as the match wore on.
And their assured play soon saw them pad that lead through Hamish Northcott and Callum Gibbins, ensuring they need only a point next week to secure a home semi.
Manawatu 29 (Fitzgerald, Milner-Skudder, Northcott, Gibbins tries, Black 2 cons, pen, Cruden con) Hawkes Bay 3 (West pen) HT: 17-0
- By Kris Shannon of APNZ
