The Counties Energy Heat have gone down to top-of-the-table Manawatu 40-26 in the Farah Palmer Cup in Palmerston North.
It leaves the Heat needing to beat Auckland in their next match to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
The red-hot Cyclones dominated the game while the visitors struggled with discipline and their handling at times.
“Tough loss but we were beaten on the day by a better team,” Heat coach Glen Sharpe said.
“Now we are in a must win scenario. Focus needs to be on executing our defence and attack strategies.
“Auckland at home is always an appealing opportunity.”
The Heat did collect a bonus point for scoring four tries and sit fifth in the standings on 13 points – three behind third placed Auckland and two behind fourth-placed Canterbury.
