North Harbour and Otago have kept their national provincial champion playoff hopes alive with comprehensive victories in the penultimate round of the regular season.
The southerners kept Manawatū winless with a 54-35 defeat that propelled them into fourth spot in their conference, as they battle Hawke's Bay for a place in the quarter-finals.
Prop Abraham Pole secured a try double, while first-five Cameron Millar converted seven of his team's eight tries for their fifth win of the campaign, but face a tough assignment next week, when they take on form side Canterbury.
Harbour look more secure in their run to the post-season, with their 35-19 win over Taranaki propelling them ahead of Auckland into second in their conference, but still within reach of Northland, who have two games next week.
They led just 14-12 at halftime, but piled on 21 unanswered points after the break to secure their fifth win of the season. They face Southland next week, but the Stags will be riding high, after breaking their losing streak.
They trailled Counties-Manuka 26-13 midway through the second half at Invercargill, but took the lead with a late try to prop Paula Latu, converted by fullback Robbie Robinson, who sealed victory with a last-gasp penalty.
Otago 54 (Pole 2, Bell, Haig, Withy, Hauiti-Parapara, Holland & Scott tries; Millar 7 conversions) Manawatū 35 (Wild 2, Maile, Henry & Emery tries; Cameron 4 conversions, Clarke conversion)
North Harbour 35 (Li, Banks, Gatland & Nasilasila tries; Gatland 5 conversions) Taranaki 19 (Slater, Boshier & Blyde tries; Waite & Perofeta conversions)
Southland 30 (Whaanga, Stewart, Payne & Latu tries; Robinson 2 conversions & 2 penalties) Counties Manukau 26 (Brash 2 & Malimali 2 tries; Hohepa 3 conversions)
