Tasman players celebrate one of their many tries against Auckland. Photo / Photosport
Tasman have continued their romp towards the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership title, extending their unbeaten run with a 40-0 trouncing of Auckland in Nelson tonight.
The Mako ran in six tries in a clinical display, making it eight wins on the trot as they sealed a home semifinal.
It was the first time a team has kept Auckland scoreless since September 2008 - 4,024 days ago.
Finishing the regular season as top qualifiers is a near certainty, with Tasman leading second-placed Wellington by 12 points, with Wellington having three games remaining to Tasman's two, while Tasman get to play the bottom-placed Championship side, Northland, next week as well.
That, and a final game against Hawke's Bay, will likely complete a perfect regular season, and they will take serious favouritism into the finals as well, having now scored 292 points and conceded a mere 80 in their campaign so far.
Auckland, meanwhile, are now at risk of missing the semifinals after tonight's limp performance. They sit in fourth on 19 points with two games to play, though do finish with an easy slate, with their final games coming against Championship strugglers Southland and Taranaki.
However, North Harbour and Waikato are both on 16 points, each with a game in hand on Auckland, and while having tougher schedules, are both capable of sneaking into the top four.
Tasman v Auckland as it happened:
The capital celebrates after the Lions' NPC victory over the Steamers.