Northland emphatically defeated Canterbury 36-12 in round four, winning the Shield. The last time the Tanis successfully defended the Log o’ Wood, they played as North Auckland – defending against Taranaki in a 23-11 scoreline 47 years ago.
In that era, Northland defended a total of five times, before losing 9-3 to Auckland on September 22, 1979.
Now it’s their turn to defend again, this time against Tasman – a side which didn’t exist in the late 1970s.
Elsewhere in round five, unbeaten Hawke’s Bay travel to Invercargill; Wellington and Counties Manukau go in search of their maiden victories this season; and Otago and Waikato do battle for the top four.
Find all the key match information and team lists below.
Southland v Hawke’s Bay
Thursday 27 August
7.10pm, Rugby Park
Referee: Fraser Hannon
Auckland v Bay of Plenty
Friday 28 August
7.10pm, Eden Park
Referee: Stu Curran
Taranaki v Canterbury
Saturday 29 August
2.05pm, Stadium Taranaki
Referee: Mike Winter
Otago v Waikato
Saturday 29 August
5.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium
Referee: Jackson Henshaw
Manawatū v North Harbour
Saturday 29 August
7.10pm, Central Energy Trust Arena
Referee: Paul Williams
Wellington v Counties Manukau
Sunday 30 August
2.05pm, Hnry Stadium
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
Northland v Tasman
Sunday 30 August
5.05pm, Semenoff Stadium
Referee: Todd Petrie