Southland have broken Northland's record for the most consecutive losses in the top level of domestic rugby in New Zealand.
Auckland's 56-8 thrashing of the Stags in Invercargill on Wednesday night, their 20th straight loss, takes them past the Northland side of 2014-2016.
Ironically Southland's last win came against Northland in October 2016, when the bested the Taniwha 39-6.
The home side started the better, taking an early 3-0 lead off the boot of first-five Tayler Adams, but that would be their only lead of the night.
Auckland led 14-3 at the break, thanks to a runaway Salesi Rayasi try, which was followed a few minutes later with their second when lock Fa'atiga Lemalu crashed over.
The high flying blue and whites put the game away seven minutes into the second spell when Tanua Manu scored from close range, which followed a Mike Sosene Feagai try a minute earlier.
Feagai scored a second midway through the half from a rolling maul before Southland gave themselves a late lifeline when Joe Walsh scored 15 minutes from time.
However the table-topping Aucklanders weren't done with another three tries coming to Caleb Clarke, Desma Liainagot and Adrian Choat respectively.
Auckland's win cements them at the top of the Premiership, while Southland will be hoping to break their losing streak in their final game against Manawatu on the weekend.
Newshub.
