The Counties Manukau Steelers have gone down to Canterbury 36-28 in Christchurch in their Bunnings Warehouse NPC match on Saturday.
The Steelers struggled defensively in the first half, allowing the home side to race out to a 36-0 lead.
They responded in the second spell, scoring 28 unanswered points to highlight what could have been.
The Steelers remain eighth in the standings but will need to score points in their final two pool matches against Wellington in Pukekohe next Friday and against Manawatu in Palmerston North the week after.
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