Manawatu thrashed by Counties

Counties Manukau thumped Manawatu 60-11 in Palmerston North yesterday in their opening warm-up game ahead of the revamped national domestic rugby championship.

Counties scored eight tries to one by the hosts, with two each to Koiatu Koiatu and Sekope Kepu, with Troy Nathan kicking 20 points.

Both sides are preparing for the Air New Zealand Cup competition starting at the end of July. Counties play North Harbour at Mt Smart Stadium next Friday; Manawatu visit Northland in Whangarei tomorrow.