Defending champions Wellington have barely weathered an all-out assault from Waikato to book a spot in the National Provincial Championship semi-finals.
The Lions had to tackle for four minutes after the final siren, absorbing 32 phases of attack from their rivals, before emerging with a 32-28 victory in their home quarter-final.
Wellington never trailled in the contest, establishing an early lead through a penalty from first-five Aidan Morgan and a try from former All Blacks winger Julian Savea. Waikato responded with a converted try to lock James Tucker, but the hosts rattled off 18 unanswered points to lead 25-7 at halftime.
They were still 30-14 up midway through the second half, but the Mooloos roared home with converted tries to centre Tana Tuhakaraina and replacement hooker Sean Ralph.
Down by four, their comeback seemed to have fallen short, when Wellington flanker Caleb Delany won a ruck penalty on his own goal-line and Morgan cleared for touch. Hooker James O'Reilly threw crooked and was then sent from the field with blood pouring from his nose.
With reserve Penieli Poasa already injured, the two teams were forced to pack an unopposed 'Golden Oldies' scrum, with Waikato to feed. They unleashed wave after wave of attack, until eventually, Lions centre Billy Proctor dislodged the ball in a tackle and referee Dan Waenga ruled knockon to end the match.
Wellington saw a 19-game winning streak end last week, losing the Ranfurly Shield to Hawke's Bay for their only loss of the season so far, although still finishing atop the NPC table.
"Struth," declared Wellington captain Du'Plessis Kirifi. "We trust ourselves in those moments to get the job done.
"Last week, we were really disappointed with the way we finished that game, so we just went back to what we do well, and we know we can use our shoulders and our discipline to turn the ball over at times like that."
Meanwhile, Taranaki joined Wellington and Canterbury in the semis, running away from Tasman 34-18 over the second half. The Mako led briefly before the break, but 14 straight points put Taranaki clear after the restart.
The visitors lost any hope of a comeback in the 54th minute, when midfielder Alex Nankivell was judged to tackle Bulls flanker Pita Gus Sowakula without the ball just metres from the tryline. Referee Stu Curran awarded a penalty try and showed Nankivell a yellow card, leaving Tasman chasing the game shorthanded.
A consolation try to flanker Max Hicks was as close as they got.
That result means Canterbury will host Taranaki in one semi-final, while Wellington await the winners of Bay of Plenty-Hawke's Bay on Sunday.
Wellington 32 (Savea, Higgins, O'Reilly & Kirifi tries; Morgan 3 conversions & 2 penalties) Waikato 28 (Tucker, Anae Ah-Sue, Tuhakaraina & Ralph tries; Cook-Savage 2 conversions, Kemara 2 conversions)
Taranaki 34 (Tikoisolomone, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens & Florence tries, penalty try; Jacomb 3 conversions & 2 penalties) Tasman 18 (Tavatavanawai & Hicks tries; Robinson conversion & 2 penalties
