Southland 21 - 36 Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay maintained their unbeaten start to the Hilux NPC season with a commanding 36-21 victory over Southland at Rugby Park, although the Stags finished strongly after being held scoreless for the opening half.
The Magpies needed just five minutes to open the scoring, with Frank Lochore finishing a sharp attacking movement. Folau Fakatava then doubled the advantage eight minutes later, burrowing over from close range after Southland were stretched defensively.
Will Cole added another five-pointer midway through the half after a slick passing movement, before Fakatava struck again in the 29th minute. Lochore completed a dominant opening spell with his second try seven minutes before half-time, leaving Hawke’s Bay 31-0 ahead.
Southland found their attacking rhythm after the interval. Scott Gregory broke through to score shortly after half-time, before Jack Barrett crossed in the 63rd minute. Hawke’s Bay responded through replacement Hunter Morrison, whose try restored their control.
Stags skipper Sean Withy added his side’s third try six minutes from full-time, but the Magpies had already done enough to secure another impressive win.
Auckland 19 - 22 Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty claimed their first win at Eden Park since 2023, edging Auckland 22-19 in a see-sawing contest which came down to a late Riley Hohepa penalty.
The Steamers made the perfect start, with Nikora Broughton crashing over after just four minutes following a strong attacking sequence. Cole Forbes then extended the advantage 11 minutes later, exploiting space created by a break from Charlie Sinton.
Auckland eventually found a response through Tevita Latu, who finished a spell of sustained pressure in the 29th minute. Titi Nofoagatotoa then barged over shortly after half-time to bring the hosts level at 12-12.
Payton Spencer put Auckland ahead for the first time after a penetrating attack, with Alex Harford converting to make it 19-12.
Bay of Plenty refused to panic. Richard Judd finished an excellent passing movement in the 68th minute, with Tamiro Armstrong and Forbes prominent in the build-up. Hohepa converted to level the scores before adding the decisive penalty seven minutes later.
Taranaki 40 - 26 Canterbury
Taranaki produced one of their best performances of the season to overcome defending champions Canterbury 40-26 at Stadium Taranaki, with Kaylum Boshier and Sam Clarke leading a powerful Bulls attack.
Boshier opened the scoring inside the first two minutes after Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens sliced through the Canterbury defence and found his No.8 in support.
Canterbury responded through hooker Manumaua Letiu, who powered over from a lineout drive, but Clarke soon restored Taranaki’s advantage by stepping through a gap to score.
The Bulls then took control while Canterbury were down a man. Josefa Namosimalua crashed over from a driving maul before Seta Tamanivalu crossed for a try early in the second half.
Johnny McNicholl gave Canterbury hope with a well-finished counter-attack, but Taranaki immediately responded through replacement hooker Zach Landon-Lane.
The visitors continued to fight, with Louie Chapman scoring late, only for Willem Ratu to cross for Taranaki. Nick Hyde added Canterbury’s consolation try after the siren.
Otago 43 - 38 Waikato
Otago survived a frantic second-half fightback from Waikato to claim a thrilling 43-38 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium, with Cameron Millar’s goal-kicking and Sam Nemec-Vial’s late try proving decisive.
Otago struck first through Jona Nareki after five minutes, but Waikato responded through Nathan Stephens and Rui Farrant, who helped the visitors build a 14-7 advantage.
Otago then turned the momentum around. Henry Bell crossed twice, while Oli Mathis hit a counter-punch for the visitors, making the score 21-all with 10 to play in the first half. Lucas Casey added another five-pointer as Otago moved into a 26-21 lead.
Ben Lopas scored early in the second stanza for Otago, before Dan Sinkinson retaliated, putting The Mooloos two points ahead. Otago fullback Sam Nemec-Vial scored the go-ahead try for the home team, with Millar adding the extras, plus a penalty goal five minutes later, giving them an eight-point lead.
Waikato kept attacking and got within striking distance after an Austin Anderson penalty, but Millar’s late penalty and conversion gave Otago enough breathing room to secure the five-point win.
Manawatū 43 - 40 North Harbour
Manawatū produced the upset of the round, holding off a remarkable North Harbour comeback to win 43-40 in a thriller at Central Energy Trust Arena.
The Turbos started brilliantly. Reece MacDonald crossed after eight minutes before North Harbour responded through George Reeves.
Manawatū immediately regained control, with Mosese Bason taking advantage of a clever kick to score before Taine Roiri picked up from the base of a ruck and burrowed over. George Worboys kept the scoreboard ticking over, adding all three conversions, plus two penalties.
North Harbour refused to fold. Jack Lee crossed from close range before Reeves added his second try just before half-time, leaving Manawatū 27-21 ahead.
Worboys kept the Harbour on their toes with three more penalties, but North Harbour finally found a way back through Oscar Koller. Kyle Brown’s try for Manawatū proved critical, restoring a 15-point advantage before Miln responded with a quick-fire double. His second try came after North Harbour attacked through a kick, setting up a dramatic finish.
The visitors had opportunities to snatch victory, but Manawatū’s defence held firm.
Wellington 35 - 46 Counties Manukau
Counties Manukau got their maiden victory of the campaign, producing an attacking masterclass to defeat Wellington 46-35 in the Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy clash at Hnry Stadium.
The Steelers were immediately on the front foot, with Sione Molia crossing early before Wellington answered through Alex Hewitt.
Ian West-Stevens then put Counties back in front before Wellington hit back through Reo Matsushita. Hugo Plummer scored for the Lions, but Molia and West-Stevens both secured their second tries before the break, putting the Steelers five points ahead.
Counties gradually began to pull away after half-time. Jimmy Tupou and AJ Alatimu scored early doors, before Cameron Church crossed to extend the advantage. Divad Palu helped Wellington rally, before Riley Williams also crossed. The Lions continued to attack, but George Popoali’i’s late penalty put the game beyond the Lions as Counties held on for an 11-point victory.
Northland 20 - 10 Tasman
Northland successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since regaining the famous trophy, overcoming a gritty Tasman challenge 20-10 at a packed Semenoff Stadium.
The Taniwha nailed an early penalty off the boot of talisman Rivez Reihana, before Tasman hooker Eli Oudenryn crashed over, finishing a powerful lineout drive. Northland responded midway through the first half when fullback Jordan Trainor completed a multi-phase attack to score their first try.
With the sides locked at 10-10 at half-time, the contest became a battle of territory and defence. Tasman’s forwards continued to provide strong set-piece ball, while Northland pinned the visitors into their 22 for large periods of the half. Reihana nailed another penalty from close range with 10 minutes to go, putting the emphasis on Tasman to come and win the game.
The decisive moment came four minutes from time. After another breakdown penalty gave Northland field position, Reihana took matters into his own hands, darting through from close range to score beneath the posts and seal the victory.