All Black midfielder Ngani Laumape made a largely anonymous return to Mitre 10 Cup rugby, as his Manawatu side were outclassed 45-17 by neighbours Hawke's Bay in Napier.
Laumape was last sighted in the black jersey against Argentina last month, when he hobbled from Nelson's Trafalgar Park with an ankle injury.
His return to the Turbos on Friday began encouragingly, as he provided a deftly timed pass in the build-up to the game's opening try by lock Brad Tucker.
Already out of championship playoff contention, Manawatu also scored next, through prop Michael Alaalatoa, and held a surprisingly commanding 17-0 lead after 20 minutes.
But suddenly, the penny dropped for the Magpies, who ran in six tries - five of them converted by Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, who was duly named man of the match.
Laumape saw out the entire 80 minutes, which should at least ease concerns over his fitness, with the All Blacks Northern Hemisphere tour looming next month.
Manawatu are already out of semi-final contention, but this result sets Hawke's Bay up for a possible home game in the post-season. They sit atop the championship table with Waikato, but the Mooloos and third-placed Otago have a game in hand.
The Turbos now face Southland in their final game of the season next Sunday - a fixture that could see the southerners set a new losing-streak record in the national championship.
In their regular season finale, Hawke's Bay take on premiership contenders Tasman in Nelson on Thursday.
Hawkes' Bay 45 (Kianu Kereru-Symes, Tom Parsons, Pasqualle Dunn, Jonah Lowe, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi & Michael Buckley tries; Taulagi five conversions) Manawatu 17 (Brad Tucker & Michael Alaalatoa tries; Otere Black two conversions & penalty)
Newshub.
