Waikato have overcome the absence of nine Black Ferns stars to beat Wellington 26-10 for a place in next week's Farah Palmer Cup premiership final.
The result sets up a rematch of last year's finalists, when Canterbury prevailed 8-7 for their fourth straight women's provincial title.
Waikato entered the contest without nine players called away to attend a Black Ferns camp, before they depart on a northern hemisphere tour next month. Wellington were missing three to the same camp.
Played at Hamilton's FMG Stadium, the contest was level 3-3 at halftime, but the visiting Pride let themselves down badly after the restart, conceding three yellow cards - playing several minutes with just 13 players - and a penalty try, as their challenge fell away.
With the wind at their back, Waikato opened the second half with tries to centre Kelsey Teneti and winger Montessa Tairakena, but their rivals were still in the contest, when prop Angelica Uila score, injuring herself in the process.
But in the 67th minute, Wellington captain Jackie Patea-Fereti was sin-binned for offside at a defensive lineout, after repeated warnings. Seconds later, hooker Precious Auimatagi followed her, after collapsing a maul and conceding the automatic seven-pointer.
Meanwhile, Canterbury tuned up for their title defence - albeit without six national squad players - with a 31-26 win over Manawatu, who will face Hawke's Bay in the championship final next week.
Waikato 26 (Kelsey Teneti, Montessa Tairakena tries, penalty try; Kennedy Tahau penalty, Tenika Willison 2 penalties) Wellington 10 (Angelica Uila try; Cheyne Copeland conversion, Lizzie Goulden penalties)
Join us at 2pm October 9 for live updates of the Farah Palmer Cup premiership final between Canterbury and Waikato
