Try doubles to Timoci Tavatavanawai and Leicester Fainga'anuku have propelled Tasman to an overwhelming 51-14 win over Southland at Blenheim, rising to the top of the NPC premiership table.
Winger Tavatavanawai needed just eight minutes to find the tryline twice and the Mako were already 29-0 ahead, including four tries, before their southern rivals could find the scoreboard.
Centre Fainga'anuku had a try in each half, while NZ sevens star Regan Ware came off the bench to score Tasman's seventh and last try, as they recorded just their second bonus point of the season.
Southland finally responded to the Mako's opening barrage, when first-five Marty Banks sprinted away to score under the crossbar. Trailling 39-7 at halftime, winger Solomon Alaimalo crossed immediately after the restart to spark hopes of a miracle comeback.
Those hopes were never realised, with Fainga'anuku and Ware re-establishing Tasman's dominance. First-five Mitch Hunt converted five tries and slotted two penalties for good measure.
With previous leaders Waikato upset by Northland on Friday and second-placed Hawke's Bay idle this weekend, the Mako were able to jump two spots to the competition lead and travel north next Saturday to challenge the Magpies for the Ranfurly Shield.
Southland, who lost a golden-point heartbreaker to Canterbury last week, travel to Manawatū next Sunday, still searching for their first win of the season.
Tasman 51 (Timoci Tavatavanawai 2, Leicester Fainga'anuku 2, Macca Springer, Levi Aumua, Regan Ware tries; Mitchell Hunt 5 conversions & 2 penalties) Southland 14 (Marty Banks & Solomon Alaimalo tries; Banks 2 conversions)
