Counties Manukau were the surprise packet of the Quarter Finals, coming out all guns blazing and racing out to a 15-5 halftime lead against Canterbury.

Peniasi Malimali was heavily involved including setting up their first try in the 24th minute. He also made a match-high 112 metres from 11 carries, 2 linebreaks and 4 defenders beaten but he probably missed an opportunity on one of his linebreaks by not passing to his support, instead he was bundled into touch in the 62nd minute.

They failed to score any second half points despite several opportunities and after 20 minutes of overtime, conceded 23-15 and bow out of the premiership race.

Its been a crazy season for Counties who lost their first 5 matches before posting 5 straight wins, coming into the finals with probably the most momentum of any side and were within a whisker of causing a major upset.

For Malimali, he played every game this season but on the scoresheet was fairly quiet, scoring only 1 try for the campaign.