Auckland and Canterbury have continued their run towards the Mitre 10 Cup premiership playoffs with resounding victories on Saturday night.
The Aucklanders extended their unbeaten streak with a six straight win, albeit a desperate 31-30 result against Taranaki in New Plymouth. They had to withstand a last-minute try and potentially winning conversion attempt from first-five Stephen Perofeta that sprayed wide right after the final siren.
Number eight Akira Ioane took less than a minute to stamp his mark on the contest, scoring a try in the opening seconds to show why his signature is such a valued commodity in New Zealand rugby.
Taranaki took a lead through a penalty and converted try to Seta Tamanivalu, but by half-time, the visitors were 19-13 ahead through converted tries from centre Tumua Manu and halfback Jonathan Ruru.
They lost the advantage after the restart, when flanker Tom Florence scored for the hosts, but two tries from winger Salesi Rayasi seemed to have clinched victory, with an 11-point margin and 10 minutes to play.
The pendulum swung back Taranaki's way, when Auckland wing Melani Nanai received a yellow card, leaving his side short-handed on defence. Number eight Mitchell Crosswell and Ciarahan Matoe found the try-line, but fullback Beaudein Waaka and Perofeta were unable to convert either in tricky wind conditions.
Auckland now host Otago on Friday, while Taranaki, languishing at the foot of the premiership standings, host North Harbour the following day.
Earlier, defending champions Canterbury played 47-25 party poopers to hosts Otago, spoiling the 20th anniversary celebrations of their last national title in 1998.
The home side competed vigorously for the first half, reaching half-time 26-13 down, but pulling within striking distance when first-five Josh Ioane crossed for a converted try after the restart.
But that was as close as they got, with Canterbury piling on the next 21 unanswered points through tries from wing Caleb Makene, centre Braydon Ennor and number eight Reed Prinsep.
The result saw the red-and-blacks climb temporarily atop the premiership standings, with five wins and two losses.
They host Hawke's Bay next Sunday, with Otago travelling north to meet Auckland.
Auckland 31 (Salesi Rayasi 2, Akira Ioane, Jonathan Ruru & Tumua Manu tries; Harry Plummer three conversions) Taranaki 30 (Tom Florence, Mitchell Crosswell, Seta Tamanivalu & Cirarahn Matoe tries; Beaudein Waaka two conversions & two penalties)
Canterbury 47 (Mitchell Dunshea, Reed Prinsep, Caleb Makene, Phil Burleigh, Braydon Ennor, Josh McKay & George Bridge tries; Brett Cameron six conversions) Otago 25 (Josh Ioane, Jona Nareki & Michael Collins tries; Ioane two conversions, Sio Tomkinson two penalties)
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