NPC power rankings: Waikato's Ranfurly Shield shocker sends title hopes south

Waikato's Ranfurly Shield shocker in the capital could have far-reaching ramifications. Wellington's team lost 34-6 to Waikatos in their first game since the change of management.

Canterbury came back from 10-0 down to beat Auckland 38-20. Alex Harford impressed in his first start for the Red and Blacks.

Wellington are now the new No. 2 in NPC power rankings. They beat Waikato to win the Ranfurly Shield. Wellington will secure a top-two spot and home quarterfinal if they beat Counties Manukau on Sunday.

Hawke's Bay are now officially 'The Bay' after their 20-14 win in Tauranga on Saturday. The Steamers are well-placed with a game in hand and are two points behind Wellington. They play in the final game of the regular season in Hamilton on Sunday.

Waikato lost to the Ranfurly Shield at Sky Stadium. It was their second loss on the bounce. They are 6-1-2 and are unlikely to have any home advantage in the playoffs.

North Harbour are in prime position to secure second spot in the Evens conference. North Harbour beat Taranaki 35-19 in Albany on Sunday. Captain Bryn Gatland is leading the competition’s points-scoring chart (110). Tevita Li scored tries (9), metres ( 972), clean breaks (19), Shaun Stevenson most caries (108), and equal-top for offloads (17).

Hawke's Bay lost the Log o' Wood and the Battle of the Bays. They need to win against Tasman on Friday to make the quarterfinals. If Otago upset Canterbury the following night, they would need a bonus-point win over Mako.

Waikato's Ranfurly Shield shocker sends title hopes south. Auckland's previous ranking was 6th.

OTAGO beat Manawatū 54-35 on Sunday. OTago's playoff destiny is still in their own hands. They need to beat Canterbury and beat Tasman to be level with Hawke's Bay.

Tasman beat Northland 52-17 in Nelson on Saturday. Mako are 9th in NPC power rankings. They will be through if Northlands lose to Bay of Plenty.

Norland are struggling. Cambridge Blue's defence is unravelling. Northland need to win their last two games to have any chance of making the playoffs.

Taranaki are 11th in NPC power rankings. They beat Counties Manukau 25-14 last Wednesday night but failed to win a bonus point away to North Harbour on Sunday.

Counties Manukau are 12th in NPC power rankings. They lost to Taranaki and Southland in the last week. Counties had been 10th last season.

Southland moved up to 13th place after beating Counties Manukau 30-26 on Sunday. Southland had been at the bottom of the rankings last week.

The Turbos are the only team in the competition who hasn't registered a win. They need to keep Northland to 22 or fewer points on Sunday to avoid breaking Southland's record from 2017.