Waikato have completed a successful second defence of the Ranfurly Shield, with a comprehensive 42-11 pasting of lowly Southland in Hamilton.
The hosts ran in five tries to one to claim outright lead in the Mitre 10 Cup championship standings and consign the winless Stags to their sixth consecutive loss.
The holders were the first to cross the try-line, courtesy of Dwyane Sweeney, to which Southland swiftly responded with a score of their own by Tauasosi Tuimavave to lead 8-7 after 18 minutes.
In the 24th minute, a James Wilson penalty extended that lead to 11-7.
Despite some valiant defence from the Stags, the hosts eventually broke through with time expired, as stand-out wing Sevu Reece crossed to make it 14-11 at the halftime break.
The Mooloo men then proceeded to take the Stags by their antlers, with Murray Iti rummaging over the line from close range, followed by a Samisoni Taukei'aho try from a driving maul to push the score out to 28-11.
In the final 10 minutes, prop Toby Smith burrowed across the chalk, while Taukei'aho grabbed his second try to ensure a comfortable Waikato win.
Newshub.
