Manawatū 27 Taranaki 25
Manawatū edged Taranaki 27-25 in a wet and windy Central Energy Trust Arena clash, ending Taranaki’s long unbeaten run against the Turbos.
Taranaki made the better start, with prop Zach Landon-Lane finishing a powerful maul in the 12th minute. Sam Clarke converted to make it 10-0 after his earlier penalty.
Manawatū hit back through Brayden Iose, who crashed over from close range after sustained pressure. Reece MacDonald converted, also grabbing a penalty goal to level the scores. Iose grabbed his second in the 15th minute, again finishing close to the line. MacDonald converted to put the Turbos ahead.
Taranaki responded just before halftime. A clever kick put Daniel Rona over, with Clarke converting to make it 17-all at the break.
MacDonald missed a go-ahead penalty early in the second half, but scrum half Doug Philipson scurried over to put the away side ahead shortly after.
Manawatū answered through JJ Pokai with 20 minutes to play, who was driven over by the pack. Clarke missed the conversion, but grabbed a crucial penalty five minutes later to put the visitors 25-24 ahead.
With less than a minute remaining, MacDonald landed the match-winning penalty after Taranaki were penalised at a maul, sealing a dramatic 27-25 victory.
Otago 57 Tasman 33
Otago showed their class in stopping a talented Tasman side, winning 57-33 at Forsyth Barr Stadium, overturning an early deficit.
Tasman struck first through competition top scorer Kyren Taumoefolau, before Otago responded through Patrick Pellegrini. But Tasman hit back with a try to Maloni Kunawave.
Otago centre Josh Whaanga scored next before Macca Springer again put the Mako in the lead, 14-19 with 10 minutes to half time.
Jake Te Hiwi and Lucas Casey both scored for Otago in the dying embers, putting the home side 28-19 up at the break.
The blue and gold continued on that momentum with an early Jona Nareki try, before Kunawave grabbed his second to keep Tasman in touching distance, 35-26.
Riley Lucas grabbed a try before Kieran McClea added to the scoreline with 15 minutes to play. Tasman’s Nic Sauira grabbed a consolation try with 10 minutes remaining, before Otago rounded off the match with a try to Finn Hurley.
Auckland 43 Counties Manukau 33
Auckland put together a decisive performance to beat Counties Manukau 43-33 at Eden Park in a match featuring nine tries.
Counties made the ideal start, with Alamanda Motuga finishing a move in the third minute. AJ Alatimu converted to make it 7-0.
Auckland answered through Tevita Latu, with Alex Harford converting. Auckland crossed through Harlyn Saunoa and James Arscott, with Harford adding the conversions to establish a 19-7 halftime lead.
Auckland extended their advantage after the break through Xavier Tito-Harris, with Harford converting, before Rico McQuoid crossed from a maul for Counties. Rico Simpson then intercepted and raced away for Auckland, with Harford converting.
Counties launched a major comeback, with two tries to Josh Gray, and one for Aporosa Vuniyayawa, levelling the scores at 33-all.
Auckland finished strongly, with Codemeru Vai scoring after a flowing passing move. Harford converted before Simpson added a late penalty to seal the 43-33 win.
Northland 34 Waikato 17
Northland retained the Ranfurly Shield, continuing their strong campaign with a 34-17 victory over Waikato at Semenoff Stadium.
The hosts opened the scoring through Lachie Hooper, who finished from close range. Rivez Reihana converted to make it 7-0. Waikato responded through Dan Sinkinson, who burst through after a clever attacking move involving Taha Kemara.
Northland hit back through Sam Nock, giving the hosts a 12-5 lead, before Reihana kicked a penalty, giving the Taniwha a 15-5 lead at the break.
Northland stretched their advantage after the break when James Ramm crossed, although the conversion was unsuccessful.
Waikato responded with an acrobatic finish from Tepaea Cook-Savage, narrowing the margin to 20-10.
Northland then took control. Hooper scored his second try, with Reihana converting to make it 27-10, before Brady Rush crossed to push the lead beyond 20 points.
Waikato finished with a late try to Sean Ralph, but the game was already sealed, a 34-17 win for the Tanis.
Canterbury 66 Wellington 19
Canterbury produced one of their biggest attacking performances of the season, overwhelming Wellington 66-19 at One NZ Stadium.
The hosts raced away early, scoring through Corey Kellow, followed by tries to Dallas McLeod, Louie Chapman, a second for McLeod, and Xavier Treacy before Wellington responded with a try of their own for Matt Proctor.
The red and blacks added a sixth first half try through Jone Rova, meaning the score at the break was 40-5.
Kurtis MacDonald continued the momentum in the second half, scoring two minutes in, before Wellington finally got into gear Jake Turnbull. The visitors added a third try of the afternoon through Losilosivale Filipo.
It was a temporary reprieve though, as Canterbury immediately restored their dominance. Ngane Punivai crossed with 10 minutes to play, followed by a try to George Bell five minutes later, and Treacy grabbed his second of the game on the hooter.
The result saw Canterbury bag a haul of tries and claim a 66-19 victory.
Hawke's Bay 24 North Harbour 31
North Harbour produced a superb second-half comeback to beat previously unbeaten Hawke's Bay 31-24 at McLean Park.
Hawke's Bay struck first through Nic Benn after a series of passes, although Harry Godfrey missed the conversion.
North Harbour responded through Jed Melvin, with Cam Howell converting to put the visitors ahead.
Hawke's Bay regained the lead through Zarn Sullivan, but Godfrey was unable to convert. North Harbour then went ahead through Israel Leota, with the conversion missing, leaving the visitors 10-12 ahead at halftime.
The Magpies moved back in front after the break. Centurion Geoff Cridge crossed, before Folau Fakatava added another try. Godfrey converted both to make it 24-12 with 20 minutes to play.
Harbour launched a remarkable comeback. Oscar Koller scored, followed by fullback Kade Banks, with Cam Howell converting to bring the visitors level with 12 to play.
Banks then crossed again late to put Harbour ahead 29-24, with Howell adding the extras. Harbour had done enough to secure a 31-24 victory.
Southland 43 Bay of Plenty 12
The Stags put the Steamers to the sword in a complete performance at Rugby Park in Invercargill.
Bay of Plenty captain Seuseu Naitao Ah Kuoi scored for the visitors first, Riley Hohepa added the extras after just eight minutes. But Glen Vaihu scored the first of two tries on the night, levelling the scores.
Rory van Vugt put the Steamers back in front, before Vaihu bagged his second, and Michael Manson scored off the opposite wing to put the home side 17-12 ahead at the break.
The home side kept the good times rolling with a penalty try, before the Stags scored three unanswered tries.
Shaun Kempton scored before Mika Muliaina and Gregor Rutledge bagged the fourth of the half, ending the game 43-12 winners.