THE ITM CUP is in full swing down in New Zealand, with Hawke’s Bay continuing their impressive start with a third bonus-point win in a row.

Counties Manukau were the latest to fall to the early pace-setters, 35-11, but they certainly gave as good as they got physically.

There were two enormous hits in the 80 minutes, one of which was far more legal than the other.

The first big hit from Johnny Fa’auli came with his side 30-6 down inside the second half, but the centre made sure to leave his mark on Hawke’s Bay’s Andrew Horrell.

Horrell won’t be thanking his number 8 for the shocking hospital pass, mind you. While Fa’auli didn’t manage to fully wrap his arms, he seems to make an attempt to, and it was deemed a fair hit.

Within seconds, Hawke’s Bay had put in a massive hit of their own, but this effort from former All Black Zac Guildford somehow went unpunished.

Guildford picked up Maukau’s Cardiff Vaega after he had made his pass outside, before clearly driving him into the ground, and onto his head.

Incredibly, neither referee nor touch judge spotted the spear.

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