Counties Manukau have kept their Bunnings Warehouse NPC season alive after a 48-24 win over Manawatu at Navigation Homes Stadium on Sunday.
The home side continued their late season momentum, winning for the fourth successive game to give themselves a chance of making the top eight.
They traded first half tries through the opening quarter of an hour before taking a 28-10 lead into halftime on the back of a Ioane Moananu double.
The Steelers dominated most of the game, with Gibson Popoali’i picking up a hat-trick of tries.
“Great to get a win in the last home game,” said coach Reon Graham.
“Thanks to all our supporters for showing up in our home games this year.
“Manawatu are a very dangerous attacking team, so we were happy to be able to contain them.
“Big week this week as we make a push to the finals.”
A win over Tasman next weekend will likely see the Steelers make the playoffs with the two other contending teams Waikato and Northland facing off and two of the three sides making the top eight.
