Southland play spoilers in penultimate round

Southland play spoilers in penultimate round. Wellington have the Ranfurly Shield for the summer. Counties Manukau need to beat Southland to have a chance of making the playoffs. Bay of Plenty can still finish ahead of Wellington in the Odds Conference. Canterbury are out of trouble at the head of the Evens conference. North Harbour are second on 27 points. Auckland are third on 25 points, and they host Taranaki at Eden Park. Tasman are one point back, playing Hawke's Bay on Friday.

Taranaki beat Counties Manukau 25-14 in the penultimate round. The first try was scored by flanker Kylum Boshier. Riley Hohepa, Daniel Waite and Kini Naholo scored tries for the home side. Sam Tuifua scored a consolation try for Countries Manuukua.

Canterbury beat Auckland 38-20 in the first round of rugby union matches. Auckland started well with tries from Salesi Rayasi, Jackson Pugh, Joel Cobb and a penalty try from Taufa Funaki. Dom Gardiner, Manasa Mataele, Tom Christie, Rameka Poihipi and Alex Harford scored tries for Canterbury. Niko Jones was sent off for a head clash with George Bridge.

Bay of Plenty beat Hawke's Bay 20-14. Emoni Narawa, Nikora Broughton and Nigel Ah Wong scored tries. Hawkes's bay had taken the lead through Devan Flanders and Ollie Sapsford. Southland play spoilers in penultimate round.

Tasman defeated Northland 52-17 in the penultimate round. William Havili, Levi Aumua, Alex Nankivell, Noah Hotham, Mac Springer, Ryan Coxon and Matt Polwart-Matich scored tries for Tasman. Northlands scored two tries through Matt Matich and Jaycob Matiu.

Wellington beat Waikato 34-6 in the Ranfurly Shield. Pepesana Patafilo, Conor Garden-Bachop, James O'Reilly, Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua scored tries for Wellington. Pita Anae Ah-Sue was sin-binned for a late tackle on TJ Perenara.

Manawatu beat Otago 35-35 in the penultimate round. Jason Emery, Siua Maile, Drew Wild, Logan Henry, Abraham Pole, Fabian Holland, Henry Bell, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Mitchell Scott, Oliver Haig and Sean Withy scored tries for Otagans.

North Harbour beat Taranaki 35-19. North Harbour took a 14-12 half-time lead. Taraniaki scored tries through Kade Banks, Isoa Nasilasila, Bryn Gatland, Kalolo Tuiloma, Tevita Li and Liam Blyde.

Southland beat Counties Manukau 30-26. Peniasi Malimali, Adam Brash and Jacob Payne scored tries for Southland. Matt Whaanga, JacobPayne and Paula Latu scored for Countries. Robbie Robinson kicked two penalties and a conversion for the win.