ROUND 9 HIGHLIGHTS: Southland v Auckland

Auckland moved to the top of the Premiership standings with an emphatic 56-8 away win over Southland in round 9. Southland opened the scoring with an early penalty, but Auckland hit back with the first try to lead 7-3. Southland then picked up a yellow card, with Auckland capitalizing to score a second try to take a 14-3 lead into the halftime break. It was all Auckland in the second half, with three early scores taking them out to a 35-3 advantage. Southland responded with a consolation score, but there was still time for Auckland to cross for a further three tries in the final ten minutes to seal a resounding bonus point victory.