Hawke's Bay 34 Otago 10
Hawke's Bay have retained the Ranfurly Shield with a comprehensive win over Otago in Napier.
The hosts ran in five tries to one in front of a typically vocal McLean Park faithful to record their sixth successful defence of the iconic Shield.
Otago broke the scoring deadlock in the 20th minute, as Freedom Vaha'akolo found himself in a huge hole courtesy of a Matt Faddes break to dive in under the crossbar.
Eight minutes later, the Magpies struck back via Neria Fomai, who cashed in on a deft tip pass from Lincoln McClutchie to finish out wide.
Lolagi Visinia then pounced on a perfectly weighted grubber from Stacey Ili to send Hawke's Bay into the sheds with a 14-7 advantage.
The hosts extended their lead early in the second half, when Ili brushed off defenders to score in the corner, before Josh Kaifa finished down the right flank to put the Magpies 14 points ahead.
Stand out wing Jonah Lowe put the icing on the cake with time expired to round out a comfortable win for the holders.
Hawke's Bay 34 (Ili, Kaifa, Lowe, Fomai, Visinia tries, McClutchie 2 cons, Falcon con) Otago 10 (Vaha'akolo try, Koroi con, pen)
Tasman 16 Auckland 11
Tasman have fought back to edge Auckland in a tightly contested National Provincial Championship clash in Nelson on Saturday.
The visitors scored the only try of the first half, with halfback Jonathan Ruru's deft no-look flick inside opening a hole for fullback Salesi Rayasi to power his way over in the tackle from close range to give his side an 11-6 halftime lead.
After closing the gap via the boot of Mitch Hunt, the Mako finally crossed the chalk with 12 minutes remaining, as Leicester Fainga'anuku ran a perfect inside line off a set piece scrum move inside the Auckland red zone to give the hosts a 16-11 advantage.
Despite a sustained tryline assault from the Aucklanders with time expired, the Mako were able to hold on to secure victory in a replay of last year's final.
Tasman 16 (Fainga'anuku try, Hunt 3 pens, con) Auckland 11 (Rayasi try, Plummer 2 pens)
Canterbury 25 Manawatu 22
Canterbury have bounced back from their opening round loss to hold off a determined Manawatu at OrangeTheory Stadium in Christchurch.
Trailing 25-10 with just 12 minutes remaining, the Turbos charged back into the contest courtesy of two late tries to move within three points of the hosts, who were able to hold on in a frantic closing spell.
Canterbury will move on to meet Hawke's Bay at home on August 21, while Manawatu host Wellington on August 22.
Canterbury 25 (Fihaki 2, Drummond, Klein tries, Burke pen, con) Manawatu 22 (Henry, Adams, Hurley-Langton tries, Cameron 2 cons, pen)
