Bay of Plenty and Waikato came together in remembrance of Sean Wainui ahead of Saturday's NPC clash in Tauranga.
For Bay of Plenty, Saturday's match was the first since Wainui's passing last week, after the Chiefs and Māori All Blacks winger died, aged 25.
Coming together before kick-off, both sides embraced along with their support staff and the match officials to observe a moment's silence, before performing their respective haka.
Waikato performed their 'Te Tuu O Waikato,' while Bay of Plenty responded with their 'Tika Tonu' haka.
On the field, Waikato held off the Steamers to take victory 37-33, with tries to Cortez Ratima (2), Mosese Dawai and Rupeni Tamani. Lucas Cashmore, Nathan Harris, Joe Webber, Leroy Carter and Emoni Narawa scored for Bay of Plenty.
The win sees Waikato leapfrog Tasman, Wellington and Canterbury on the NPC Premiership ladder, moving from fifth to second with 26 points to sit second behind leaders Hawke's Bay on 33.
Bay of Plenty meanwhile stay sixth in the Premiership despite picking up a bonus point in defeat, ahead of only Auckland - planted to the bottom of the ladder after their season was ended by the COVID-19 lockdown.
