A win for Auckland will lock in a home playoff while Canterbury will be looking to continue their hot run of form which has seen them secure top spot in the Evens conference with two rounds to play.
Saturday heats up even more with Wellington putting the Ranfurly Shield on the line for their first defence against Waikato and Bay of Plenty hosting Hawke’s Bay in the traditional ‘battle of the bays’ clash.
Find your key match information and team lists below. NOTE: Teams are added as they are named. All matches are live on Sky Sport NZ.
Canterbury v Auckland
Friday 23 September
7.05pm, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Bay of Plenty v Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 24 September
2.05pm, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Tasman v Northland
Saturday 24 September
2.05pm, Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Wellington v Waikato (Ranfurly Shield)
Saturday 24 September
4.35pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Manawatū v Otago
Sunday 25 September
2.05pm, Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
North Harbour v Taranaki
Sunday 25 September
2.05pm, North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Southland v Counties Manukau
Sunday 25 September
4.35pm, Invercargill Rugby Park, Invercargill