The Steamers will sense a chance though, after the Magpies suffered the first loss of their campaign – to North Harbour – in the previous round. The McRae-Shelford Bay Cup is on the line once again.
The yellow and blue will have to be perfect to beat Hawke’s Bay in Tauranga on Saturday afternoon.
Elsewhere, it’s do or die for Auckland as they play an up and down Tasman side; Canterbury travels to North Harbour Stadium in a second-versus-fifth clash; and Waikato and Manawatū meet in Hamilton, both seeking to cement a spot inside the eight.
Find all the key match information and team lists below.
Counties Manukau v Otago
Thursday 17 September
7:10pm, Navigation Homes Stadium
Referee: Marcus Playle
Tasman v Auckland
Friday 18 September
7:10pm, Lansdowne Park
Referee: James Doleman
Bay of Plenty v Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 19 September
2:05pm, Tauranga Domain
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Waikato v Manawatū
Saturday 19 September
5:05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato
Referee: Todd Petrie
Wellington v Northland
Saturday 19 September
7:10pm, Hnry Stadium
Referee: Nick Hogan
North Harbour v Canterbury
Sunday 20 September
2:05pm, North Harbour Stadium
Referee: Paul Williams
Taranaki v Southland
Sunday 20 September
5:05pm, Stadium Taranaki
Referee: Ben Woolerton