Waikato and Auckland have played out a 20-20 draw in a match that was an arm wrestle throughout the 80 minutes, with neither side breaking through to win.
Waikato dominated the opening few minutes of the match, as they tried to get their young electric backs involved. The tactic worked, as they got quick field position and scored through young prop Ollie Norris.
The home side continued to attack and try to bust through the champions' defence - they got through again, this time winger Declan O'Donnell.
Auckland finally got more possession and worked their way downfield. They set up shop on Waikato's line, looking for their first try of the night.
James Tucker was sent to the bin after repeated infringements and Auckland got their reward three minutes later.
D'Angelo Leuila sent a crossfield kick, where it fell into the arms of an unmarked Caleb Clarke, who scored to make the score 14-10 at the break.
Fletcher Smith nailed two penalties with 20 minutes to go to extend Waikato's lead to 10, as both sides struggled for points in the second 40.
A driving maul from a lineout saw Leni Apisai cross the line to score for Auckland and the kick went over to close the gap to just three points with 14 minutes to go.
Auckland nailed a 73rd-minute penalty to level the score at 20-20 and set up an exciting finish, but neither side could find the final blow and had to settle for a draw.
Earlier, a Neria Fomai hat-trick helped the Magpies see off Northland 43-28 in Whangarei.
The speedster on the wing helped Hawke's Bay rally from 10 points down early to claim a 15-point win and keep them unbeaten for 2019.
The match went backwards and forwards throughout the first 60 minutes, but with a quarter of the game left, the visitors led by one and the match hung by a thread.
The class of the Magpies shone through, as Fomai and Folau Fakatava scored to take the game.
Hawke's Bay host Southland on Friday and Northland will travel to Palmerston North to face Manawatu on Thursday.
Newshub.