Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Canterbury and Wellington are all in a very bizarre situation where they could either make the semi-finals or face relegation at the same time. Canterbury find themselves in must-win territory against leaders Auckland on Sunday afternoon in Christchurch, as they sit on equal points with Wellington. The Lions host a crossover game with Manawatu on Saturday.
In the Championship, Southland who currently sits in fifth place on 16 points are still in with a shot of the playoffs, just three points behind fourth-placed Northland. The Taniwha have a tough battle with Waikato but will play in front of their home fans at the Kaikohe Rugby Club on Saturday afternoon. Hawke’s Bay will be looking to secure a home semi-final, with Otago breathing down their neck in second place.
WEEK 10: Mitre 10 Cup Downer Match Appointments:
Counties Manukau v Southland
Friday 13 November
7.05pm, Navigation Homes Stadium Pukekohe
Downer Referee: Mike Winter
Assistants: TBC
Northland v Waikato
Saturday 14 November
2.05pm, Kaikohe Rugby Club
Downer Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistants: Boris Jurlina & Jaco Cronje
Wellington v Manawatu
Saturday 14 November
2.05pm, Sky Stadium Wellington
Downer Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistants: Daniel Mangin & Jack Sargentina
Otago v Tasman
Saturday 14 November
4.35pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium Dunedin
Downer Referee: James Munro
Assistants: Caleb Neilson & Fraser Hannon
Bay of Plenty v North Harbour
Sunday 15 November
2.05pm, Tauranga Domain
Downer Referee: Richard Kelly
Assistants: Sam Fellows & Cam Russell
Taranaki v Hawke’s Bay
Sunday 15 November
2.05pm, TET Stadium Inglewood
Downer Referee: Jono Bredin
Assistants: Cam Stone & Will Johnston
Canterbury v Auckland
Sunday 15 November
4.35pm, Orangetheory Stadium Christchurch
Downer Referee: Nick Briant
Assistants: James Munro & Jamie Nutbrown