Mitre 10 Cup Saturday results:
Bay of Plenty 44 bt Canterbury 8
Hawke's Bay 47 bt Manawatu 12
North Harbour 23 bt Auckland 22
FULLTIME ... NORTH HARBOUR WIN!!!! What a thrilling contest and Harbour have won the battle of the bridge by one point 23-22.
In the standout game of an action-packed Saturday in the Mitre 10 Cup, Harbour produced a spirited and gusty second-half back fight back lead by Bryn Gatland’s superb game management and kicking game.
Auckland dominated possession in the first half and got their first try in the 14th minute, which came from a great run from Akira Ioane before he offloaded to Aj Lam to score.
Just three minutes later, Auckland got their second. After a great run by prop James Lay, Inga Finau stuck his nose through the line before offloading to Tumua Manu to crash over.
Harbour scrapped to stay in the contest in the first half and thanks to Gatland’s boot they were only down by six at the break 15-9.
Harbour started the second half on fire. After just three minutes, James Little sliced through the Auckland defence to score under the posts.
The deciding momentum in the game came in the 63rd minute. After Marcel Renata was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements, Harbour made Auckland pay. From a lineout, drive Luteru Tolai crashed over to put Harbour ahead by eight.
Auckland got a consolation try to make it interesting through Akira Ioane but it wasn’t enough as Harbour came out on top.
Auckland takes on Waikato at home next Saturday at 7:05 pm, while Harbour travels to Whangarei to take on Northland at 2:05 also on Saturday.
In the two other games Bay of plenty thrashed a pathetic Canterbury side 44-8 in the Steamers best performance of the season in front of a loud crowd in Tauranga. In Napier, Hawke's Bay retained the shield for the second week in a row thrashing Manawatu 47-12.
North Harbour 23 (Little,Tolai, tries; Gatland 2 conversion, 3 penalties) bt Auckland 22 (Lam, Manu, Ioane tries; Plummer 2 conversion, 1 penalty)
HT: 15-9 AKL
80 min - Auckland steal the lineout and give themselves the opportunity to win it. Hickey goes for a drop-goal but it misses wide. North Harbour 22m drop out.
79 min - Harbour have stolen the lineout and have the ball on their 22 . Gatland puts in a midfield bomb and Auckland regather it but Harbour force them into touch.
77 min - Auckland dominate the scrum and win a penalty. Plummer gives Auckland a lineout on Harbour's 10m line.
76 min - After a couple of kicks backwards and forwards from both teams, Sullivan kicks the ball dead from his own 22. North Harbour will have a scrum on the 22m line.
75 min - TRY AUCKLAND - From the scrum, Iaone goes off the back and goes close. After 8 phases of keeping it tight with th forward just inches from the line, Akira Ioane crashes over next to the posts. Plummer converts the try. 23-22 NH
74 min - From the scrum, Auckland attack through the backs down to just past the 10m line. Tumua Manu makes a great run to get into the backfield before offloading to Hickey who looks like he is going to score but great defence from Harbour holds the ball up. Scrum Auckland 5m out.
73 min - From the lineout, they set up a lineout drive, after going 10 metres they release to the backs but Gatland knocks on.
71 min - Harbour dominate the scrum and win a penalty. Gatland will give Harbour a lineout on halfway.
70 min - From the scrum, Harbour clear well through Gatland down to halway. Hickey puts in a deep kick to Harbour's 5m line. Gatland clears down to his own 22m line. Auckland are bulding their attack and Tele'a looks like his through but Hickey's pass is forward. Scrum Harbour on their own 22m line.
67 min - From the scrum, Scrafton knocks the ball on after a huge scrum from Harbour. Scrum Harbour on 22m line.
65 min - From the kickoff, North Harbour make a knock-on at the break down. Scrum Auckland 22m out.
63 min - TRY NORTH HARBOUR - Harbour go for the lineout and set it 7m out. From the lineout, Harbour set the lineout-drive and exacute it perfectly and Luteru Tolai crashed over. Gatland converts the try. 23-15 NH
62 min - YELOW CARD AUCKLAND - Asaeli Tikoirotuma makes a great run down the right wing and is brought down on the 22m line. At the ruck Marcel Renata gives away a breakdown penalty and after repeated penalities the ref has sent him to the bin.
61 min - Harbour win the lineout and start their attack just past the 10m line with Auckland showing great defence. After 7 phases Harbour knock the ball on and Finau puts in a poor kick and Harbour will start their attack again just past halfway.
59 min - From the scrum, Harbour start their attack midfield just short of the 22m line. After 7 phases Gatland put grubber into 22m line and Lam clears down to 10m line.
56 min - Auckland don't throw ball straight. Scrum Harbour.
54 min - After kicking backwards and forwards between the two sides, Gatland puts in a perfect kick down to Auckland's 5m line. Auckland clear through Plummer but Stevenson returns strongly. Harbour start their attack just short of the 22. Murphy Taramai gets through the defence and passes to Aoake but he puts it down, then Harbour gives away a penalty. Auckland lineout on 10m line.
51 min - From the lineout, Harbour win lineout penalty. Gatland gives Harbour a line out just past 10m line. Harbour are building their attack through the forwards and have got down to the 22. Before Gatland puts kick into Auckland's 22. Auckland clear back to halfway. Lineout North Harbour.
49 min - From the scrum, Harbour dominate and win a penalty. Gatland will give Harbour a lineout just short of the 10m line.
48 min - From the lineout, Auckland keep it tight with the forwards just 5m out. After a 6 phases, Marcel Renata knocks the ball on in contact.Scrum Harbour 5 metres out from their own line.
45 min - From the kickoff, Habrour clear their lines down to halfway. Auckland straight away goes wide and Manu puts in a chip kick which is gathered but Bryn Hall but at the ruck Adrian Choat wins a breakdown penalty. Plummer will go for touch and give Auckland a lineout 10m out.
43 min - TRY NORTH HARBOUR - From the lineout, Harbour set the lineout-drive. They go about 10 metres before releasing it to the backs. James Little runs a great line and 'slices and dices' the Auckland defence to scores under the posts. Gatland converts the try. 16-15 NH
41 min - Auckland clear through Plummer but only down to halfway where Habrour start their attack. After 5 phases Harbour win breakdown penalty. Gatland will give Harbour a lineout on the 22m line.
SECOND-HALF underway .... North Harbour gets us back underway.
HALFTIME .... A very even and at times a scrappy first half but Auckland go into the sheds leading 15-9. Auckland has dominated possession and a couple of strong runs set up the two Auckland tries. The game has been played between the two 22 metre lines. Auckland got their first try in the 14th minute. After a great run from Akira Ioane before he offloaded to AJ Lam to score.
Just three minutes later, Auckland got their second. After a great run by prop James Lay who went 20 metres before being brought down. From the next phase Inga Finau sticks his nose through the line before offloading to Tumua Manu to crash over.
40 min - PENALTY NORTH HARBOUR - From the kick-off, Harbour win a penalty for Sullivan being accidenly offside. Gatland will have a shot at goal from 37m out. He slots it down the middle. 15-9 AKL
39 min - PENALTY AUCKLAND - From the lineout, attack through the backs just short of 22m line. Auckland win a penalty and will have a shot at goal. Plummer slots it over. 15-6 AKL
37 min - After a scrappy period of play, Ioane wins a breakdown penalty. Plummer will give Auckland a lineout just short of the 22.
36 min - Harbour win a free-kick for Auckland pre-engaing at the scrum and Gatland clears down to halfway. Auckland try to break through Lam who put a little grubbe rin but only finds Gatland who clears back to Auckland's 22 who then clear to halfway.
34 min - From the lineout, it's very scrappy with ball going to ground a couple of times before Manu knocks on. Scrum Harbour `15m out from their own line.
33 min - A really shacky, dropout and dribbles into touch on the 10m line. From the lineout, build their attack through the forwards. After 5 phases Harbour give away breakdown penalty. Plummer will go for touch and give Auckland a lineout 10m out.
31 min - From the lineout, Auckland clear down lines and AJ Lam has done well to keep it in and regather it for Auckland. Plummer puts a deep kick in but it goes into in-goal area. 22m dropout Harbour.
30 min - From the lineout Harbour set their attack through the backs on the 22m line. After 12 phases of good attack but also good defence Shaun Stevenson is thrown into touch. Lineout Auckland 10m from their own line.
27 min - Harbour have a scrum, which they dominate and win a penalty. Gatland gives them a lineout on the 22m line.
25 min - From the kickoff, Harbour clear through Stevenson down to halfway. Lineout Auckland.
23 min - PENALTY NORTH HARBOUR - Gatland will have a shot at goal from 30m out on the angle and he slots it over. 12-6 AKL.
22 min - Auckland have stolen their fourth lineout of the night and Auckland will clear down to Stevenson who gets down to halfway. Gatland put a kick down to Aucklands 22. Plummer puts a terrible up-and-under and Harbour regather and start their attack inside Auckland's 22. Harbour win a penalty from Auckland's players not being onside from the kick.
21 min - From the lineout, build their attack in tight with their forwards. Auckland have won the ball back at the ruck and clear down to just past halfway.
18 min - YELLOW CARD AUCKLAND. From the kickoff, Ruru clears down to 10m line. It looks like Harbour are away but a forward pass from Shaun Stevenson will bring the play to a holt. Scrum Auckland on halfway. The ref has gone upstair and seen a lifting tackle from Zarn Sullivan and the ref has sent him to the bin. So Harbour will have a penalty.
17 min - TRY AUCKLAND - James Lay makes a great break and is brought down just 10m out. Auckland get fast ball and go wide, Inga Finau sticks his nose through the line before offloading to Tumua Manu to crash over. Plummer misses the conversion from in front. 12-3 AKL
16 min - From the kickoff Ruru clears down to halfway. Auckland steal another lineout and start their attack on halfway. Good hands from Sullivan to Lam gives him a mini break down to the 10m line.
14 min - TRY AUCKLAND - From the lineout, Auckland go wide striaght away, where Akira Ioane makes a strong run and gets into the backfield before offloading to AJ Lam to score. Plummer converts the try from out wide. 7-3 AKL
13 min - Auckland steal the ball at the ruck and Plummer puts a kick down to Harbours 5m line. Gatland clears down to his own 22m line.
10 min - North Harbour, knock the ball on at the lineout. Scrum Auckland. Ruru clears down to Harbours 10m line.
9 min - From the scrum, Aoake runs strongly but at the breakdown Harbour win a penalty. North Harbour lineout on Auckland's 22.
7 min - From the kickoff Gatland clears all the way down to Auckland's 5m line. Sullivan will clear down tp his own 10m line. From the lineout, Harbour knock the ball on.
5 min - PENALTY NORTH HARBOUR - From the lineout, Harbour set the lineout maul and go about 10m before going to the backs. At the ruck Gibson tries to steal the ball back but gives away a penalty. Gatland will have a shot at goal from right in front, which he slots over. 3-0 NH
4 min - Auckland are looking good early moving up the field with strong carries. After 12 phases and Harbour showing strong defence, Dilion Hunt wins a breakdown penalty. Harboru will have a lineout on Auckland's 22m line.
2 min - From the kick off, Harbour flanker Ethan Roots makes a good run before Gatland kicks down to Auckland. Zarn Sullivan returns strongly and gets into the backfield and into the 22 but his offload doesn't go to hand. Gatland clears down to halfway.
KICKOFF ... Auckland gets us underway.
7:03pm - Welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the battle of the bridge between Auckland and North Harbour. We have perfect conditions in Albany. Let's hope for more attacking rugby like we have seen in the previous games.
*****
Kia ora, folks, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the battle of the bridge and this Mitre 10 Cup clash between Auckland and North Harbour.
Updates will begin from 4:35pm.
QBE Stadium is the venue for today’s Championship clash between the top of the table Auckland and last placed Harbour.
North Harbour have made a couple of changes to their starting side, as Asaeli Tikoirotuma shifts from second-five to wing in place of Jared Page, who is on the bench. Jack Heighton replaces Tikoirotuma in the midfield.
Alama Ieremia has made several changes to his starting side, which will see Akira Ioane play his 50th game for Auckland.
Flanker Adrian Choat will captain the side with TJ Faiane ruled out with injury. Faiane has been replaced by Inga Finau who will make his debut, while Joel Cobb is in line to make his first appearance off the bench.
Other changes see lock Hamish Dalzell, Ioane and Tanielu Tele'a come into the starting side
TAB: North Harbour $2.30 Auckland $1.57
North Harbour: 1-Nic Mayhew, 2-Luteru Tolai, 3-Sione Mafileo, 4-Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5-Jacob Pierce, 6-Ethan Roots, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Murphy Taramai, 9-Bryn Hall, 10-Bryn Gatland, 11-Tomas Aoake, 12-Jack Heighton, 13-James Little, 14-Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 15-Shaun Stevenson.
Reserves: 16-Zane Turner, 17-Teague McElroy, 18-Jimmy Roots, 19-Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, 20-Tim Sail, 21-Lewis Gjaltema , 22-Antonio Mikaele-Tu’u , 23-Jared Page
Auckland: 1-James Lay, 2-Leni Apisai, 3-Marcel Renata, 4-Scott Scrafton, 5-Hamish Dalzell, 6-Adrian Choat (c), 7-Blake Gibson, 8-Akira Ioane, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Tanielu Tele'a, 12-Inga Finau, 13-Tumua Manu, 14-AJ Lam, 15-Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16-Mike Sosene-Feagai, 17-Jarrad Adams, 18-Marco Fepulea’i, 19-Liam Hallam-Eames, 20-Sione Tuipulotu, 21-Danny Tusitala, 22-Simon Hickey, 23-Joel Cobb
Hawke’s Bay 47 (Fomai, Toala, Flanders, Makene, O’Connor, Dixon, Walker-Leawere tries McClutchie 4 conversions, McLeod 2 conversions) bt Manawatu 12 (Tofa, Wyness tries; Wyness 1 conversion)
Hawke's Bay have defended the Ranfurly Shield for a second time, after thrashing Manawatu in an action-packed contest in Napier.
Both sides playing entertaining, attacking rugby, often at the expense of defence.
The Turbos started the better of the two sides and got the opening try through Tofa, who finished acrobatically in the corner.
Seven minutes later, the Magpies responded through Danny Toala, after a great chip kick from Lincoln McClutchie, who had three try assists in the half.
Hawke’s Bay soon had their second for the afternoon through Devon Flanders, after a great short pass from McClutchie.
The Turbos hit back after some magic from Mlner-Skudder to put Wyness over. The Magpies finished the half on fire, with two late tries through Makene and O’Connor to take a deserved 28-12 lead into the sheds.
After putting up a fight for the opening 20 minutes of the second half, Manawatu inability to convert their chances cost them, as the Magpies made them pay with three tries in the final 12 minutes.
Captain Ash Dixon was rewarded for his side's lineout dominance, scoring from a textbook close-range drive.
With six minutes remaining, Neria Fomai crashed over in the corner after a perfect grubber kick from Stacey Ili, before Isaia Walker-Leawere crashed over in the corner late.
Hawke's Bay will be asked to defend the Shield one final time this season, when they take on Wellington on November 8.
78 min - TRY HAWKE'S BAY - Kurt Bakes returns the drop-out strongly and gets down the 22m line. Ili makes a mini-break and gets to just 5 metres out. Evans goes very close and from the next phase Isaia Walker-Leawere picks up and crahses over in the corner. McLeod slots the conversion from out wide. 47-12 HKB
76 min - From the kickoff, the Magpies look to attack through Makene who breaks down to halfway before offlaoding to Visinia who gets down to the 22. A grubber from the Magpies goes into the ingoal area. 22m drop-out Manawatu.
74 min - TRY HAKWE'S BAY - From the lineout, Toala makes a strong run to go about 8 metres short. A great little grubber Stacey Ili finds Neria Fomai who gathers and scores in the corner. McLeod misses the conversion from out wide. 40-12 HKB
72 min - The Turbos are building their attack around their own 10m line but the Magpies win a breakdown penalty. Lineout inside Turbos 22.
70 min - From the kickoff Baker clears down to the 10m line. Lineout Manawatu. The Turbos start their attack just inside the Magpies half but they knock the ball on. Isaia Walker-Leawere makes a great run and his offload strikes a Manawatu hand. Scrum Magpies 35m out.
68 min - TRY HAWKE'S BAY - The Magpies exacute a perfect lineout drive and Ash Dixon crahses over the line. Connor McLeod converts the try. 35-12 HKB
67 min - Manawatu bring down another lineout drive and give away another penalty. The Magpies will have another lineout 5m out.
66 min - YELLOW CARD MANAWATU - From the lineout, the Magpies set the lineout drive and almost exacute it perfectly. Dixon crashes over but their is obstruction that stops the try. The ref goes back for a penalty at the lineout has sent replacement prop Tietie Tuimauga to the sin bin.
65 min - From the lineout, the Magpies win another lineout penalty. They will have another lineout this time 10m out.
63 min - The Turbos knock the ball on at the lineout. The Magpies clear down to Milner-Skudder who is under-pressure and forced into touch. Lineout on halfway for Magpies. Turbos give away a lineout penalty. Lineout about 35m out.
62 min - Turbos have the ball on the Magpies 10m line and are building their attack before winning a breakdown penalty. They will go for touch and have a lineout 10m out from Magpies line.
60 min - From the scrum, the Turbos build their attack around halfway. After 5 phases, Evans steals the ball back and the Magpies put a kick into the Turbos 22 and the Turbos survive and win a breakdown penalty. Turbos will have a lineout on halfway.
58 min - After 7 phases of Turbos attack around the 10m line going side-to-side, the Magpies win a breakdown penalty. Lineout Magpies on halfway. Magpies attack and go wide but straight away Makene throws a forward pass.
57 min - The Turbos are bulding their attack before Toala steals the ball for the Magpies and will clear but only down to the 10m line.
55 min - From the scrum, the Magpies clear their lines and the Turbos will have a lineout inside the Magpies 22.
54 min - From the lineout, the Turbos attack the Magpies line. After 7 phases they go wide with a trick play but Milner-Skudder puts down a low pass. Scrum Magpies 7m out from their own line.
53 min - Manawatu go so close through Milner-Skudder who knocks the ball on with the goaline at his mercy but ref was playing advantage. Lineout Turbos 5m out.
52 min - Visinia makes a mini-break down the win to just short of the 22 but he is penalised at the breakdown. Turbos will have a lineout just inside Magpies 22.
50 min - From the scrum, Manawatu try to force it and Milner-Skudder throws a forward pass. Scrum Magpies on Turbos 10m line.
49 min - The Magpies win the linout against the throw and they attack out wide through Makene who is brought down on halfway before Toala makes a good run down to just short of the 22 but the Turbos win a breakdown turnover. Lineout Manawatu on halfway.
48 min - Manawatu win an ugly lineout and start their attack inside Magpies 22 but knock the ball on. Fakatava will clear down to the 10m line.
46 min - A good run off the back of the scrum by Flanders but at the breakdown the Turbos win the ball back and will attack inside the Magpies 22. Wyness puts a kick into the Hawke's Bay 22. McClutchie clears down to Milner-Skudder who attacks the Magpies line. Manawatu knock the ball on and Fakatava will clear into touch after long passage of play.
44 min - From the scrum, Tofa runs hard at the line and gets down to just short of the 22. Ater 7 phases Jamie Booth puts a tough pass down. The Magpies regain possission and a scrappy pass hits a hand of a Turbo player so the Magpies will have a scrum on their own 10m line.
42 min - Magpies start second half well and win breakdown penalty on their own 10m line. They go for a lineout and straight from the lineout, Fakatava throws a forward pass. Scrum Turbos on hlafway.
SECOND-HALF underway ...
HALFTIME .... What a half of rugby we have had. The defence from both sides has gone missing but it’s been entertaining for everyone watching. The Turbos started the better of the two sides and got the opening try through Tofa who finished acrobatically. Seven minutes later, the Magpies responded through Danny Toala after a great chip kick from Lincoln McClutchie who had 3 try assists in the half.
Hawke’s Bay got their second for the afternoon through Devon Flanders after a great short pass from McClutchie. The Turbos hit back after some magic from Mlner-Skudder put Wyness over. The Magpies finished the half on fire with two late tries through Makene and O’Connor to take a deserved 28-12 lead into the sheds.
40 min - TRY HAWKE'S BAY - McClutchie clears the ball down to the Turbos 22, Ah Wong puts a wobbly kick that goes out just past the 22. From the lineout, Brendon O'Connor is tackled but not held so gets up and runs to score under the posts. McClutchie converts the try. 28-12 HKB
39 min - A messy restart from the Turbos with both sides knocking on. Scrum Magpies about 15m short of halfway.
38 min - TRY HAWKE'S BAY - The Magpies are looking dangerous with ball in hand ar down to the Turbos 22. After 5 phases McClutchie runs hard at the line before offloading to Makene who crahses over in th corner. McClutchie converts the try from out wide. 21-12 HKB
37 min - From the restart, the Magpies go deep and find Booth who clears down to halfway.
35 min - TRY MANAWATU - Manawatu straight away are back on attack and are inside the Magpies 22 just 5m out. After 10 phases some magic from Nehe Milner-Skudder showing his famous footwork creates the space befor he offloads to Ben Wyness to score. Wyness converts his own try. 14-12 HKB
33 min - TRY HAWKE'S BAY - Turbos clear their lines and only find Caleb Makene who breaks into backfield before the Magpies show great hands between three players. The Magpies come back to centre field and McClutchie finds a hard running Devan Flanders who crashes over under the posts. McClutchie converts the try. 14-5 HKB
32 min - Danny Toala makes a mini break but at contact knocks the ball on. Scrum Turbos on the 22.
31 min - From the lineout, Mnawatu knock-on straight away Josiah Maraku. Scrum Magpies 35m out.
30 min - From the lineout the Magpies build their attack through the forwards but after four phases, the Turbos win a breakdown penalty. They will have a lineout midway betwenn 22 and 10m line.
29 min - From the scrum, the Magpies dominate the scrum and win a penalty. They will go for touch and have a lineout just inside Turbos 22.
27 min - From the kick-off Folau Fakatava clears his line and Milner-Skudder puts down a really simple catch under no pressure. Scrum Magpies on Turbos 10m line.
25 min - TRY HAWKE'S BAY - The Magpies are bulding their attack just short of the 22. A great chip kick from Lincoln McClutchie finds Danny Toala who goes in untouched under the posts. -Lincoln McClutchie converts the try. 7-5 HKB
23 min - From the scrum, Booth clears well and it stays just in the field of play and Nigel Ah Wong smashes Fomai into touch. From the lineout, the Turbos break into the backfield through Wyness and get to the 22. The Turbos are looking dangerous but Brendon O'Connor wins an important breakdown turnover penalty. Lineout Magpies on Turbos 10m line.
21 min - Hawke's Bay are attacking just inside the Turbos 22. The Magpies are looking dangerous but after 11 phases the Magpies make another knock-on. Great defence Manawatu.
18 min - TRY MANAWATU - A great team try from the Turbos. It all started on their own 10m line. The Turbos come left to Waitokia who breaks down the edge. He sends a nice pass back inside to Maraku in support who carries on before sending it back out to Tofa. Tofa finishes acrobaticly in the corner. Ben Wyness misses the conversion from out wide. 5-0 MAN
17 min - With the Magpies hot on attack, Jamie Booth steals the ball back and gets into the back field and puts a kick in but it goes into touch on Magpies 10m line.
16 min - From the scrum, Ili puts a grubber kick into the 22 but only finds Milner-Skudder who clears and Hawke's Bay will start their attack again around halway.
14 min - The Magpies build their attack nicely and are just short of the 22. After 9 phases of going side-to-side with the Turbos showing great defence, Fomai is thrown into touch. From the lineout win a breakdown penalty. They don't find touch and the Magpies will attack. Manawatu knock the ball on at the ruck going for a turnover. Scrum Magpies 10m line of Manawatu.
12 min - From the scrum, Manawatu attack through the backs but Folau Fakatava wins a breakdown penalty for his Magpies side. They will have a lineout on halfway.
11 min - The Turbos are building their attack nicely, throwing the ball around and get down to just short of the 22. Visinia gets his hands on a Turbos pass but it goes to ground. Scrum Turbos just short of the Magpies 22.
10 min - A scrappy piece of play results in Manawatu regathering possession on their own 22. After 5 phases the Turbos win a penalty. They will have a lineout just short of halfway.
8 min - From the scrum Ben Wyness clears down to halfway. Lineout Hawke's Bay.
7 min - From the lineout, Neria Fomai makes a strong run down to the Turbos 10m line. The Magpies are looking dangerous on attack and after 13 phases Pouri Rakete-Stone knocks the ball on when he is in a gap.
5 min - Hawke's Bay clear down to halway. From the lineout Manawatu win a penalty straight away at the breakdown. Lineout Manawatu on the 22. From the lineout the Turbos go wide but Milner-Skudder throws a forward pass. Scrum Magpies on 10m line.
4 min - From the lineout, Manawatu look dangerous and Stewart goes just short then Tofa throws cut out pass but Tufuga is thrown into touch. Lineout Hawke's Bay 5m out.
2 min - Hawke's Bay have their first attempted clearence charged down at the second attempt they find touch on the 10m line. Manawatu attack from the lineout and win a penalty. They will go for touch. Lineout 7m out.
KICKOFF - Manawatu gets us underway
4:33pm - A perfect day in Napier. Lets hope for a great game.
*****
Kia ora, folks, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this Ranfurly Shield and Mitre 10 Cup clash between Hawkes Bay and Manawatu.
Updates will begin from 4:35pm.
McLean Park is the venue for today’s Championship clash between the top of the table Magpies and last placed Turbos.
The Magpies are looking to defend the shield for the second time in two weeks after beating North 33-17.
The Turbos are still looking for their first win of the season after having six straight losses and will look to lift the log of wood for the first time since they successfully defended the shield 13 times between 1976 and 1978. Manawatu also haven't won in Napier since 1955.
The Magpies have made three changes to their starting XV with all of them coming in the backline.
Wing Neria Fomai, second-five Danny Toala and fullback Caleb Makene all come into the side as Hawke's Bay look to defend the Log o' Wood.
The Turbos have made a host of changes to their starting side as they search for their first win of the season.
Kirk Tufuga will make his debut at No. 8 while Solomona Sakalia starts his first game in the green and white. Teofilo Paulo drops to the bench with Liam Mitchell returning to lock allowing TK Howden back to the blindside after he had a week off last week, while Shamus Hurley-Langton returns to the openside trading places with Johnny Galloway.
In the backs, Te Rangatira Waitokia takes the left wing spot of Newton Tudreu and Ben Wyness starts at No. 10 after Stewart Cruden was injured last week.
TAB: Hawke's Bay $1.07 Manawatu $7.50
Hawke's Bay: 1-Pouri Rakete-Stone, 2-Ash Dixon, 3-Joe Apikotoa, 4-Geoff Cridge, 5-Tom Parsons, 6-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7-Brendon O'Connor, 8-Devan Flanders, 9-Folau Fakatava, 10-Lincoln McClutchie, 11-Neria Fomai, 12-Danny Toala, 13-Stacey Ili, 14-Lolagi Visinia, 15-Caleb Makene
Reserves: 16-Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17-Jason Long, 18-Joel Hintz, 19-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20-Gareth Evans, 21-Connor McLeod, 22-Jonah Lowe, 23-Kurt Baker
Manawatū: 1-Solomona Sakalia, 2-Sam Stewart, 3-Michael Alaalatoa, 4-Micaiah Torrance-Read, 5-Liam Mitchell, 6-TK Howden, 7-Shamus Hurley-Langton, 8-Kirk Tufuga, 9-Jamie Booth (c), 10-Ben Wyness, 11-Te Rangatira Waitokia, 12-James Tofa, 13-Josiah Maraku, 14-Nigel Ah Wong, 15-Nehe Milner-Skudder
Reserves: 16-Siua Maile, 17-Tietie Tuimauga, 18-Paulo Leleisiuao, 19-Teofilo Paulo, 20-Johnny Galloway, 21-Bryn Wilson, 22-Drew Wild, 23-Adam Boult
Bay of Plenty 44 (2 Tiatia, penalty try, Webber, Trask Curry tries; Black 1 conversion, Trask 2 conversion, 2 penalties) bt Canterbury 8 (Grace try, Burke 1 penalty)
HT: 22-3 BOP
FULLTIME .... A red-hot Steamers side has thrashed Canterbury 44-8. Bay of Plenty scored six tries to one in their best performance of the season to move them off the bottom of the Premiership table.
A much improved second-half performance from Canterbury wasn’t enough to get them back in the contest. After a dreadful first-half from the red and blacks cost them dearly and the Steamers were on fire and made Canterbury paid. Everything the Steamers touched turned to gold, with Joe Webber was on fire and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. Otere Black had the ball on a string with his kicking game. Chase Taitai also had a strong game scoring two tries whilst also being instrumental in the penalty try and Trask’s try. Canterbury really struggled at lineout time winning just five of their 13 lineouts. It definitely a day for Canterbury to forget.
79 min - TRY CANTERBURY - From a linout, Canterbury work a move off the back of the lineout with Cullen Grace wrapping round and going 15m to crash over in the corner. Cameron misses the conversion from out wide. 44-8 BOP
72 min - TRY BAY OF PLENTY - A great midfield bomb from the Steamers and Cameron and McKay get in each others way and knock the ball on. Emoni Narawa picks the ball up breaks into the back field before offloading to Traks who then offloads to NZ Sevens Star Scott Curry to score. Black converts the try. 44-3 BOP
65 min - TRY BAY OF PLENTY - From a scrum, Taitai put a great cross-kick over to Joe Webber who does amazing to keep it in the field of play and flicks it in field and Trask gathers and scores in the corner. Trask converts his own try. 37-3 BOP
58 min - YELLOW CARD BAY OF PLENTY - After a string of penalties since halftime, referee Cam Stone has seen enough and sent Nathan Vella to the sin bin.
56 min - TRY BAY OF PLENTY - After a poor clearing kick from Canterbury, which Mitch Karpik regathers and takes it about to inside the 22. Bay of Plenty attack a couple of phases with fast ball before going out to the backs and finding Joe Webber who strolls over to score in the corner. Trask misses conversion from out wide. 30-3 BOP
48 min - PENALTY BAY OF PLENTY - After 4 phases, the Steamers win a break down penalty 37m out from the Canterbury line. Traske nails the kick. 25-3 BOP
SECOND-HALF underway ... Canterbury gets us underway.
HALFTIME .... A very entertaining first half in Tauranga with both sides play an expansive brand of rugby. Bay of Plenty has been ruthless in their attacking play and take a deserved 22-3 lead into half time. Two great tries from Chase Tiatia - one coming from a charge down and the other from a great backline move and penalty try has seen the Steamers ahead at the break. Canterbury wasn’t helped when lock Sam Darry was sent to the sin bin when he stopped a certain try after a Joe Webber break. Canterbury lineout was worse than horrific winning just 2 of their 11 lineouts which didn’t help them gain any momentum.
21 min - YELLOW CARD CANTERBURY & PENALTY TRY BOP - With Bay of Plenty hot on attack after a great break from Tiatia before he offloads about 15m short of the line. With quick ball, Campbell tries to go wide to an unmarked players and it hits a offside Sam Darry is sent to the sin bin. The ref goes upstairs and awards a penalty try. 22-3 BOP
20 min - TRY BAY OF PLENTY - From a Canterbury scrum on their own 10m line, Rameka Poihipi tries to clear down his lines but his kick is charged down by Chase Tiatia who regathers and goes 30m to score in the corner. Trask misses the conversion from out wide. 15-3 BOP
16 min - PENALTY CANTERBURY - From the kickoff Canterbury win a breakdown penalty straight away. Burke will have a shot from straight in front on the 22. He slots it over. 10-3 BOP
15 min - PENALTY BAY OF PLENTY - After looking dangerous on attack the Steamers, Canterbury win the ball back. After a couple of phases with Canterbury setting to clear, Bay of Plenty win a breakdown penalty. Trask will have a shot at goal, which he slots down the middle. 10-0 BOP
9 min - TRY BAY OF PLENTY - Helta-skelta start to this contest with both teams looking dangerous. From a lineout on halfway, the Steamers attack through the backs. Kaleb Trask gets into the backfield before offloading to Joe Webber who is patient before offloading to Tiatia to score. Trask converts the try. 7-0 BOP
KICKOFF .... Bay of Plenty gets us underway.
2:03pm - Welcome to our live coverage of Bay of Plenty v Canterbury from the Tauranga Domain. We have perfect conditions in Rotorua for attacking rugby.
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Kia ora, folks, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this Mitre 10 Cup clash between Bay of Plenty and Canterbury.
The match is the first of three this afternoon, which also sees Hawke's Bay defend the Shield against Manawatū while North Harbour hosts Auckland.
Updates will begin from 2:05pm.
Tauranga Domain is the venue for today's Premiership clash between fifth-placed Canterbury and last-placed Steamers.
Mitchell Dunshea and Cullen Grace return to Canterbury's starting line-up after being released by the All Blacks for this weekend's match.
Dunshea will start at lock, with Grace at No. 8. The other change to the starting side sees Ereatara Enari start at halfback over Mitchell Drummond.
The Stemers make four changes to their starting 15 this week, with Jeff Thwaites, Sam Dickson, Mitchell Karpik oming into the pack and Emoni Narawa coming onto the wing.
Dropping out of the starting side are, Ross Geldenhuys - who goes to the bench and Keepa Mewett Joe Tupe, Regan Ware, all drop out of the matchday 23. Nathan Vella, Zane Kapeli come onto the bench.
TAB: Bay of Plenty $2.90 Canterbury $1.37
Bay of Plenty: 1-Jordan Lay, 2-Kurt Eklund, 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Stan Van Den Hoven, 5-Kane Le'auppe, 6-Joe Johnston, 7-Mitchell Karpik, 8-Sam Dickson, 9-Luke Campbell, 10-Otere Black (c), 11-Joe Webber, 12-Chase Tiatia, 13-Matthew Skipwith-Garland, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15- Kaleb Trask
Reserves: 16-Nathan Vella, 17-Tevita Mafileo, 18-Ross Geldenhuys, 19-Scott Curry, 20-Zane Kapeli, 21-Leroy Carter, 22-Dan Hollinshead, 23-Cole Forbes
Canterbury: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Shilo Klein, 3-Tamaiti Williams, 4-Mitchell Dunshea, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Reed Prinsep (c), 7-Tom Christie, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Ereatara Enari, 10-Fergus Burke, 11-Josh McKay, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Ngatungane Punivai, 14-Chay Fihaki, 15-Andrew Knewstubb
Reserves: 16-Scott Mellow, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Billy Harmon, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Brett Cameron, 23-Dallas McLeod
