Manawatu XV was bowled 60-11 by a Counties-Manukau XV on Thursday night at Arena Manawatu. The blowout in the score came in the second half after Manawatu trailed 13-11.

That second half creaked as the Counties Manukau XV delivered 47 unanswered points and took the try tally 8 to 1.

With another XV down to play Northland on Saturday it is hoped that a starting 22 can be found - or it will be a long season of defeats for Manawatu in the big league.