Canterbury 12 Northland 36
Northland’s second half surge stunned the Cantabs, winning 36-12 at One NZ Stadium and claiming the Log o’ Wood for the first time in 48 years.
James Mullan got the Taniwha ahead seven minutes in, before Canterbury lock Tahlor Cahill ghosted in, the last man in the chain scoring in the left corner. Their forwards then created the platform for Jone Rova to cross in the 16th minute. But Northland responded emphatically. Marcel Renata used all of his experience to burrow over, and scrum half Sam Nock turned the game on its head before halftime, breaking clean through off the back of a lineout maul to run in the Taniwha’s third try.
Northland led 21-12 at the break and continued to apply pressure after the restart. A Canterbury clearance was charged down, and Rob Rush added to the visitors’ tally from a slick set piece move. The Taniwha kept Canterbury scoreless for the remainder of the match, while Rush grabbed his second try in the dying embers to complete a remarkable 36-12 victory.
Hawke's Bay 59 Manawatu 17
Hawke’s Bay continued their unbeaten start to the Hilux NPC with a seven-try second-half blitz, beating Manawatū 59-17 at McLean Park.
It was tight at half time, Hawke’s Bay leading 17-12 after the Turbos’ Rory Woods scored from a lineout drive, before Magpies’ Kianu Kereru-Symes retaliated crashing over from short range. Taniela Filimone scored the simplest of tries after a period of sustained tryline pressure, and Hunter Morrison grabbed one after bulldozing his way through would-be Turbos defenders. Winger Nic Benn was the last man in a nicely worked set piece to end the half with a try, and a five-point lead.
The second half belonged entirely to the Magpies. Morrison grabbed his second after an audacious grubber and chase from the lock led to an opportunity on the 22 line. Darby Lancaster scored his first provincial try for Hawke’s Bay in the 58th minute, from close range, before Joe Apikotoa and Hadlee Hay-Horton crossed in quick succession. The points kept coming. Valentino Taito added another, and Anaru Paenga-Morgan dotted down to complete a dominant performance and push the Magpies beyond 50 points.
Tasman 46 Southland 17
A tied scoreline at half time turned into a demolition job from the Tasman Mako, as they beat the Southland Stags, 46-17.
Southland made the brighter start, with Nic Shearer crossing early before Johnny Lee responded for the Mako after a break from Lopeti Faifua. A chargedown then allowed Sam Fischli to put Southland back in front. Tasman levelled just before halftime when Maloni Kunawave broke through and found Kyren Taumoefolau, who finished from close range to take his season tally to nine tries already.
The Mako took control after the break. Reserve halfback Wil Thornalley finished off a period of pressure to put Tasman ahead, but Fletcher Morgan hit back for Southland from a lineout drive to make it 17-all. Then came a devastating 12-minute Tasman burst. William Havili regathered his own kick and put Lopeti Faifua through for the first of the blitz. Kunawave then crossed in the corner, before Taumoefolau turned provider for David Havili to score soon after coming off the bench. David Havili then broke clear and linked with Kunawave, who found Taine Robinson for another try. Kunawave and Taumoefolau combined again late, with the winger completing his double in a sweeping length-of-the-field attack.
North Harbour 27 Auckland 19
North Harbour held off a spirited Auckland comeback to secure a 27-19 victory at North Harbour Stadium, and the Battle of the Bridge in doing so.
In his NPC debut season, Israel Leota has already made himself one to watch for the future, as he scored early in the first half. He collected a cheeky chip from Bryn Hall inside Auckland’s 22 to dot down. Auckland centre Siale Pahulu responded, scoring form a clever flat Issak Fines-Leleiwasa pass right on the line. Tap dancing along the touchline, Leota kept the ball in and flicked it to teammate Kade Banks, who had the simplest task of finding the line. Auckland hit back through Xavier Taele, who put Auckland ahead. Rory Taylor hit back for Harbour, through a beautiful team move, and Leota grabbed a second before half time in a sweeping counterattack where Harbour went coast to coast in the space of two phases.
Auckland refused to go quietly. Harlyn Saunoa crossed acrobatically in the 42nd minute to reduce the deficit to five points, setting up an intriguing finish. Cam Howell shut down the idea of a comeback though when he slotted a penalty, extending the lead to eight, and the hosts shut Auckland out for the remainder of the match to secure a 27-19 win.
Bay of Plenty 28 Taranaki 24
Bay of Plenty looked in control of their match against Taranaki at half time, only to survive a second half surge, edging the Bulls 28-24.
Taranaki made a flying start, with Seta Tamanivalu crossing after just three minutes. Bay of Plenty responded through Tamiro Armstrong, and the Steamers began to build momentum. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi crossed after sustained pressure, before Reon Paul added another as Bay of Plenty held a 21-7 lead going into the sheds.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens crossed early in the second half before Kini Naholo added another, bringing Taranaki back within two points at 21-19. Bay of Plenty responded through Nikora Broughton, restoring some breathing room with a try in the 60th minute. Taranaki kept pushing and replacement Vereniki Tikoisolomone crossed with five minutes remaining to make it 28-24. The Bulls had one final opportunity, but Bay of Plenty held firm to claim a four-point victory.
Waikato 45 Counties Manukau 12
Waikato produced a dominant attacking display at FMG Stadium Waikato, running in seven tries to beat Counties Manukau 45-12.
The Mooloos made a fast start and established an attacking rhythm that Counties struggled to contain. Senita Lauaki crossed seven minutes in, but Josh Gray scored to bring the Steelers within striking distance. Waikato captain Taha Kemara grabbed a try in the 23rd minute, and again the Steelers stole one back with Atu Moli from close range. Tepaea Cook-Savage had the last say, making the scoreline 17-12 at halftime.
Discipline and missed tackles let the Steelers down in the second stanza, as the Mooloos ran in four tries, including two to Oli Mathis. The other two were scored by D’Angelo Leuila and NPC debutant Dan Sinkinson. Waikato repeatedly found gaps in the Steelers’ defensive line, as their forwards maintained control of the set piece and breakdown. The 45-12 victory secured a bonus point and strengthened Waikato’s position near the top of the table after four rounds.
Otago 61 Wellington 22
Otago scored nine tries against the Lions, producing the biggest win of round four, stunning Wellington 61-22 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Tries to Jona Nareki, Lucas Casey, Jae Broomfield and scrum half Kieran MClea saw 26 points on the board for Otago. Wellington responded through winger Reo Matsushita, and Cameron Burgess added three points, seeing the hosts 18 points up at half time.
Dominic Ropeti scored first for the Lions in the second half, but Otago’s five tries ruled out any sniff of a comeback. Sam Nemec-Vial was first in, then replacement Harry Irving. Nemec-Vial added his second, before Wellington responded through Caleb Delany, but Otago kept attacking. Josh Whaanga and Slade McDowall crossed late. Millar’s final conversion completed a 61-22 victory.