Hawk's Bay defeated Wellington 52-33 in the Bunnings NPC on Saturday, completing a commanding performance that leaves the visitors in strong position heading into the next round of fixtures.
The result extends Hawk's Bay's impressive run of form, with four victories in their previous five matches across all competitions. Wellington, by contrast, have struggled recently, suffering four defeats in their last five outings and looking increasingly vulnerable at home.
And here's the thing — this wasn't Hawk's Bay's first encounter with Wellington this season. Back in September they won 24-38 in Wellington, and while the margin has tightened, the pattern remains familiar. The visitors have consistently found ways to impose themselves on the home side.
Wellington's recent results tell a troubling story for the hosts. They managed only a single victory during this stretch, a comprehensive 75-19 demolition of Southland, while losses to Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Northland and Hawk's Bay have accumulated. To be fair, the Southland game suggests they still have attacking capability when conditions align.
Hawk's Bay's away form has been particularly sharp. Three wins from their last four road trips, including victories over Manawatu and Auckland, demonstrate they can compete effectively outside their home ground. The 19-43 defeat to Canterbury was their only blemish in that sequence.
By then, Wellington had already shown signs of defensive frailty in their previous meetings. Against Hawk's Bay on this occasion, they were unable to contain the visitors' attacking patterns, conceding 52 points in what proved to be a decisive margin in the contest.