Auckland have scored a late converted try to move atop the Mitre 10 Cup premiership, rallying from 18 points down to snatch a 29-28 win over Taranaki in Inglewood.
After Auckland wing Selesi Rayasi opened the scoring, the home team rattled on three consecutive tries to build a 23-5 lead midway through the first half, before lock Jack Whetton narrowed the deficit before the break.
Wing AJ Lam crossed for two tries early in the second half to close within a point, but Taranaki seemed to have survived the comeback, when wing Jacob Raumaitayuki-Kneepkens scored in the corner.
With four minutes remaining, halfback Jonathan Ruru found Rayasi for his second try and Simon Hickey's conversion put Auckland for good - their fourth win of the season.
They will now await the result of Sunday's Tasman v Bay of Plenty encounter to learn if they can retain their competition lead from the defending champions.
Waikato are level with Auckland at the top of the ladder, but trail on points difference, after their 36-13 win over Counties Manukau.
The Mooloos needed a 27-point win to edge ahead, but met strong resistance from the Steelers, who led 10-5, until they were reduced to 14 men just before halftime.
From the ensuing scrum, referee Brendon Pickerill awarded a penalty try to Waikato, who then outscored their rivals 24-3 in the second half, but could not find the try necessary to complete their climb.
After toppling the Mako last week, North Harbour have continued to gather momentum after a shaky start to the season, rolling new Ranfurly Shield holders Hawke's Bay 46-10.
Winger Jared Page had three first-half tries - the second and third giving his side control just before the break - and Harbour outscored their guests 26-0 over the second 40 minutes.
While the Log O' Wood was not up for grabs, Harbour will now hope Northland can steal the trophy from the Magpies next week - Harbour are due to travel north the week after.
Meanwhile, Otago have put the disappointment of losing the Shield behind them, pipping Wellington 35-34 to further their championship claims.
The Lions led 34-23 with less than 20 minutes left, but conceded tries to winger Vilimoni Koroi and - with three minutes remaining - lock Jack Regan to lose their grip on the game, with Josh Ioane slotting the winning conversion.
Waikato 36 (Coombes-Fabling, Thomson, Misa, Tupaea tries, penalty try; Smith conversion & penalty, Reihana 2 conversions) Counties Manukau 13 (Nanai-Seturo try; Robertson conversion & 2 penalties)
Otago 35 (Koroi 2, Coltman, Withy & Regan tries; Ioane 2 conversions & 2 penalties) Wellington 34 (Renata, O’Reilly, Fidow & Hauiti-Parapara tries; Garden-Bachop 4 conversions & 2 penalties)
Auckland 29 (Rayasi 2, Lamb 2, Whetton; Hickey conversion, Plummer conversion) Taranaki 28 (Kneepkens, Potroz 2 tries; Potroz 2 conversions & 3 penalties)
North Harbour 46 (Page 3, Aoke, Gatland, Taramai, Hunt tries; Gatland 4 conversions & penalty) Hawke's Bay 10 (Mikaele-Tu'u try; McLeod conversion & penalty)
*****
Waikato 36 Counties Manukau 13
Waikato (Penalty Try, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Adam Thompson, Steven Misa, Quinn Tupaea tries; Fletcher Smith 1 Conversion & 1 penalty, Rivez Reihana 2 conversions)
Counties Manukau (Etene Nanai-Seturo tries; Jason Robertson 1 conversion & 2 penalties)
FULLTIME - It's allover from FMG Stadium. Waikato have grabbed a bonus point victory and moved to second on the points table. After a slow start, the Waikato fowards dominated and really earned the win for their side.
78 min - Rivez Reihana makes a break into the backfield but is ankled tapped. At the ruck Counties win a penalty and we will have a lineout on halfway.
77 min - Waikato try attack from the kickoff but knock the ball on giving Counties another opportunity to attack inside Waikato's half. The play breaks down with a knock from both sides centre field. We will have a scrum to Waikato on the 10 metre line.
76 min- TRY Waikato. A scrappy piece of play has resulted in Jacobson breaking into the back field. From the next phase a great chip chick from Rivez Reihana finda Quinn Tupaea to score next to the posts. Reihana converts WAI 36-14
75 min - Waikato start building their attack deep inside the Counties 22. Liam Messam goes just short before Counties win a ruck penalty.
74 min - Counties win the lineout aginst the throw and try attack from deep inside thir own 22. They are forced to clear to just inside their own 22.
72 min - Counties try to build their attack just inside their own half but Mitch Jacobson wins a breakdown turnover. Rivez Reihana will give Waikato a lineout just inside Counties 22.
69 min - TRY Waikato. Waikato steal the linout. After 4 phases the big replacement prop hooker Steven Misa burrows his way over next to the posts. Rivez Reihana converts. WAI 29-13
68 min - Waikato produce a great counter attack. Fullback Beaudein Waaka break down the wing puts a grubber kick in but it goes out on the 5 metre line.
66 min - Counties continue to build their attack but Waikato knock a pass down so we will have a scrum to Counties on the 10 metre line.
65 min - Waikato clear and Counties will start their attack just inside the Waikato half.
64 min - From the lineout maul, Waikato win a turnover and the ref awards a scrum for Waikato going foward.
63 min - Counties produce a great maul and Waikato give away another penalty. Counties choose to take the lineout.
61 min - Counties knock-on at the linout and Waikato clear down to the 22.
60 min - A great scrum from Counties have them hot on attack but Counties are held up. The ref has gone back for an offside penalty and Counties choose to take a lineout.
59 min - Tevita Nabura makes a great break through the ruck and has Counties on attack inside Waikato's 22. The attack breaks down when Smith and Robertson clash heads but the ref will come back for an offside penalty. Counties choose to take a scrum five metres out centre field.
56 min - Counties on attack just outside Waikato 22 but Sione Molia knocks-on when Counties where starting to look dangerous.
55 min - A great kick from Robertson has given Waikato a defensive linout just outside their own 22.
53 min - A great lineout drive has Counties just 5 metres out. The attack breaks down but the referee brings them back for an offside penalty. Counties decide to take the easy three points which Robertson slots over. WAI 22-13
51 min - Counties win a ruck penalty for a Waikato player not rolling away. Robertson gives Counties a lineout just insie the 22.
50 min - Waikato regather the kickoff and clear down to halfway. Lineout to Counties on halfway.
49 min - TRY Waikato. A great team try from the Mooloos. Quinn Tupaea makes a mini break in midfield before offloading to Smith who netball-passes to Adam Thompson to crash over. Smith converts from out wide. WAI 22-10
47 min - After kicks backwards and forwards between the two sides, Counties again start their attack on halfway. More great defence from Waikato forces a turnover.
45 min - Waitkato clear through Fletcher Smith and Counties set-up their attack just inside Waikato's half. After 12 phases a great tackle from Jacobson wins a turnover.
42 min - With Waikato on attack, Counties give away a penalty at the ruck trying to win the ball back. Fletcher Smith will have a shot a goal from about 22 metres out and he has nailed it. WIA 15-10.
41 min - Waikato make a great start to the second half. The Waikato fowards force an error from Counties and we will have a scrum on Counties 22.
Second half underway... Fletcher Smith gets us back underway for Waikato.
HALFTIME - Waikato dominate the majority of possession and territory and are rewarded late on with a yellow card to Counties and a penalty try to put them ahead 12-10.
40 min - TRY Waikato. Waikato will produce another huge scrum and referee Brendon Pickerill has seen enough and awards a penalty try. WAI 12-10
40 min - Yellow Card Counties Manukau. Waikato produce another massive scrum results in a scrum penalty. The ref has seen enough and has sent Counties propConan O'Donnell to the sin bin.
39 min - Waikato produce another huge scrum. With Waikato hot on attack going very close to scoring they produce a knock-on just short of the line. The ref will go back for the penalty and the Mooloos will take another scrum.
37 min - Waikato continue to destroy Counties at scrum time winning another penalty. Waikato will go for another scrum.
36 min - Another huge scrum from Waikato wins them a penalty and they choose to keep presure on and go for another scrum.
34 min - Waikato produce a huge scrum, Waikato halfback Xavier Roe comes clear from the scrum and tries to produce an offload but it goes to ground. Another scrum to Counties, this time 10 metres from the Counties line.
33 min - Waikato again fail to throw the ball in straight to give Counties a scrum inside the Stealers own 22.
32 min - From the defensive scrum, Counties exit well through Orbyn Leger and gives Waikato a lineout inside Counties 22.
30 min - Waikato start another lineout drive and again win another penalty at the maul. Waikato will have another go. Lineout 5 metres out but the Waikato hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho doesn't throw it straight and gives Counties a scrum 5 metres out.
28 min - From the lineout Waikato start a lineout drive but Counties give away a penalty for obstruction at the lineout drive. Fletcher Smith will give the Mooloos a lineout 5 metres out.
27 min - From the lineout, Counties start building their attack. they get to halfway where Mitch Jacobson wins a breakdown turnover. Fletcher Smith will give Waikato a lineout on Counties 22.
26 min - Waikato are on attack deep in Counties 22. After nine phases Counties win a break down turnover and will clear down to their own 10 metre line.
23 min - From Counties scrum, the Stealers start building their attack, which is just inside their own half. After six phases Waikato give away a ruck penalty and Robertson will give Counties a lineout on the Mooloos 10 metre line.
21 min - Waikato have a try dissallowed. Waikato lock gave a offload which was foward to Rob Cobb wo runs 30 metres to score but it's rulled out for a forward pass.
19 min - TRY Counties Manukau. A poor pass from smith force Adam Thompson to flick the ball back inside to stop it going out but it only went to Counties fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo and he ran 60 metres untoched to score. Robertson converts CM 10-5
18 min - After a clearing kick from Counties, Patrick Osborne brings it back strongly and Wiakto start their attack in Counties 22.
16 min - Counties gather the kickoff well and Counties halfback Jonathan Taumateine clears to just outside his own 22.
14 min - Counties are attacking now just short of Waikato's 22 and they win a ruck penalty straight in front of the posts. Robertson will have an attempt from 28 metres out. He slots it straight down the middle. WAI 5-3
11 min - From the kickoff, Waikato clear down to hal-way, it'll be a lineout for Counties.
10 min - TRY Waikato. From the linout, Waikato set up a lineout drive. A great netball-type pass from Fletcher Smith to Liam Coombes-Fabling who scores in the corner. Smith will try convert from out wide and his pulled it right. WAK 5-0
8 min - Big scrum from Waikato wins them a penalty. A great Fletcher Smith kick will give them a lineout 5 metres out.
7 min - The Stealers win the linout but it's a bit of a mess at the ruck so ref awards counties a scrum on halfway.
6 min - With Counties on attack, Luke Jacobson wins a breakdown turnover. Lineout for Waikato on halfway.
5 min - Fast tempo start to this match. Counties wing Kirisi Kuridrani breaks down the right. He offloads but only to a waikato player who is forced into touch. Lineout just outside Waikato 22.
3 min - After 12 phases of attack from Counties they turn it over. Fletcher Smith clears down to halway and Counties start their attack again. Waikato win a break down penalty. Smith will give Waikato a lineout on Counties 10 metre line.
1 min - After Waikato clear the kickoff down to halfway, Counties start building their attack.
Kick-off - Jason Robertson gets us underway for the Counties Manukau.
7:01pm - A beautiful day in Hamilton. A good crowd is in attendce at FMG Stadium. Here is hoping for more entertaining rugby like our previous match.
*****
Kia ora, folks, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Mitre 10 Cup clash between Waikato and Counties Manukau.
Updates will begin from 7:05pm.
FMG Stadium is the venue for this tonight's encounter. Waikato are looking to continue their winning ways after beating Southland 10-9 last week.
Counties Manukau are also coming off a back of a good win beating Manawatu last week 36-30.
For Waikato, most of the changes to the starting 15 are in the backs. The regular halves pairing of Xavier Roe and Fletcher Smith return to halfback and first five eight respectively. With Roe and Smith returning, Cortez Ratima and Rivez Reihana will provide impact from the reserves bench.
Quinn Tupaea is back after a week off and takes over at his regular position of outside centre. He is joined by Matty Lansdown at inside centre to make up a new midfield pairing.
Patrick Osborne retains his place on the left wing and Liam Coombes-Fabling shifts from fullback to the right wing. Coombes-Fabling's move to the wing sees Beaudein Waaka named at fullback for his Waikato debut.
For Counties, Jason Robertson has been rewarded for his impressive performance from the bench against Manawatu last week with a start ahead of Baden Kerr.
All Blacks Sevens star Sione Molia has recovered from a niggling knee injury that has kept him sidelined him the past few weeks to take his place at centre, with skipper Orbyn Leger moving in to second-five and Latiume Fosita to the bench.
TAB: Waikato $1.16 Counties Manukau $4.70
Waikato: 1-Rob Cobb, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3-Josh Iosefa-Scott , 4-Hamilton Burr, 5-Samipeni Finau, 6-Adam Thomson, 7-Mitch Jacobson, 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Xavier Roe, 10-Fletcher Smith, 11-Patrick Osborne, 12-Matty Lansdown, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 14-Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15-Beaudein Waaka
Reserves: 16-Steven Misa, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19-James Thompson, 20-Liam Messam, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Rivez Reihana, 23-Gideon Wrampling
Counties Manukau: 1-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2-Zuriel Togiatama, 3-Conan O'Donnell, 4-Potu Leavasa, 5-Matiaha Martin/Mickey Woolliams, 6-Jonathan Kawau, 7-Alamanda Motuga, 8-Sam Slade, 9-Jonathan Taumateine, 10-Jason Robertson, 11-Sione Fifita, 12-Orbyn Leger (c), 13-Sione Molia, 14-Kirisi Kuridrani, 15-Etene Nanai-Seturo
Reserves: 16-Donald Maka, 17-Clinton Malolua, 18-Suetena Asomua, 19-Viliame Rarasea, 20-Viliame Taulani, 21-Cameron Roigard, 22-Latiume Fosita, 23-Tevita Nabura
Wellington 34 Otago 35
Wellington (Trent Renata, James O’Reilly, Alex Fidow, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara tries; Garden-Bachop 4 conversions & 2 penalties)
Otago (2 Vilimoni Koroi, Liam Coltman, Sean Withy, Jack Regan tries; Josh Ioane 2 conversions & 2 penalties)
FULLTIME - A brilliant final 20 minutes from Otago steal the victory from the Lions. Otago grab their third win of the season and great victory after losing the shield last week.
80 min - Wellington win the ball back from the scrum and set up their attack with the forwards. Otago turn it over and kick the ball into touch a grab a great come-back victory.
79 min - Otago regather the kickoff and are keeping it in the forwards trying to run the clock down but Wellington turnover. With the Lions on attack looking for a match winning try, replacement prop Kaliopasi Uluilakepa puts a pass down. Otago scrum on their own 22.
77 min - TRY Otago. From the scrum Otago attack. After 5 phases, Otago lock Jack Regan grabs the ball and crashes over. Ioane has a kick to put them in front. He slots it down the middle. OTG 35-34
75 min - Otago continue to dominate the scrum and win another scrum penalty. They choose to take another scrum.
73 min - From the lineout, Otago setup a lineout drive. Ioane puts in a great grubber kick, which forces Goosen to take the ball back into his own in-goal area. otago will have a scrum 5 metres out.
71 min - Otago's lineout is called not straight. Wellington scrum 5 metres out. Wellington clear down to just short of their own 22.
70 min - After Otago clear from their own 22, Wellington knock the ball on. Otago hot on attack, Nareki puts in a great grabber kick which forces Aidan Morgan to take the ball into touch. Otago lineout 5 metres out from Wellington's line.
68 min - From the kick-off Otago try to clears but its charged down into touch.
67 min - TRY Otago. A great backline play puts Vilimoni Koroi in to grab his second try for the afternoon. Ioane attepmted kick hits the post. WEL 34-28
65 min - From lineout, the Lions try a cross field kick. Wellington replacement Pepesana Patafilo put the kick down. Otago will have a scrum on halfway on far right hand touchline. Otago dominate the scrum and win a penalty. Otago will have a lineout 10 metres out.
64 min - From the kickoff, Garden Bachop clears down Josh Ioane attacks. Otago then attack down the right hand side but Koroi knocks the ball on into touch. Wellington lineout on their own 10 metre line.
61 min - TRY Wellington. From the scrum Wellington attacks down the short side. Otago's defence hold well. Then Lions halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara shows great footwork to beat the Otago defence to crash over. Garden-Bachop converts the try. WEL 34-23
59 min - From the lineout results in a scrappy piece of play. Otago kncok the ball on so the Lions will have a scru on Otago's 22 on the left-hand side.
58 min - Otago regather the kickoff and Hammington clears with kick down to his 22. Wellington lineout on the 22 metre line.
56 min - TRY Otago. Collins breaks into the backfield before offloading to Sean Withy. He beats a couple of tacklers and crashes over for Otago. Ioane misses the conversion. WEL 27-23
55 min - Garden-Bachop gathers a midfield bomb from Otago he breaks clear down the right-hand side before offloading to Fifita who knocks it on. Otgao scrum Wellington 10 metre line.
54 min - From the kickoff, Wellington clear down to Otago's 10 metre line.
52 min - TRY Wellington. After Savea is ankled tap just short of the line Wellington continue to attack. Lions prop Alex Fidow oicks-and-goes from 5 metres out and forces his way over. Garden Bachop converts from out in front. WEL 27-18
50 min - From the kickoff Wellington steal the ball. Vaea Fifita breaks clear and is brought down just short of the line.
49 min - TRY Otago. From The Otago lineout Otago produce an effective lineout drive. Otago go out to the backs. Ioane put Vilimoni Koroi in space and he beats Goosen to score in the corner. Ioane will try convert from out wide. He slightly pulls it to the right. WEL 20-18.
46 min - Otago are looking dangerous on attack. Umaga-Jensen brings down Nareki just 5 metres short of the line who tries to offload but it goes to ground. Wellington regather and clear down to their 22.
44 min - Wellington steal the lineout. A bit of back-and-fourth kicking, Otago gain possession and are on attack just inside Wellington's half.
43 min - from the lineout, Hammington puts a grubber kick in but it's regathered by the Lions. Garden-Bachop clears down to halfway. From the lineout, Wellington give away a penalty for being offside. Otago will have a lineout just short of Wellington's 22.
41 min - Otago kick didn't go 10 metres but Plumtree grabs it. He offloads it, but to an Otago player. A couple of phases later Wellington give away a penalty for a no-arms tackle. Otago will have lineout just short of 22.
Second half underway...
HALFTIME - A very even first-hlaf sees the Lions go into the sheds leading 20-13.
40 min - From the kick-off Savea drops it giving Otago a scrum on Wellington's 22 metre line as the siren goes. Otago dominate the scrum and win a penalty. They decide to give Ioane the opportunity to have a shot at goal slightly to the right of the posts about 28 metres out. He slots it over. WEL 20-13
39 min - Wellington win a breakdown penalty for the Otago player not releasing the player. Garden-Bachop will have a shot from right in front about 28 metres out. He slots it down the middle. WEL 20-10.
37 min - Wellington lose the lineout and Otago clear down to just short of their own 10 metre line.
36 min - Wellington from the srum break out from their own 22 through Umaga-Jensen. He gets down to the halfway line where Otago give away a breakdown penalty. Wellington will have a lineout on Otago's 22.
35 min - With Otago hot on attack, Ioane gives a great offload to Josh Hohneck who then gives it to Collins but as it looks like he might score he knocks it on. Wellington will have scrum 5 metres out from there own line.
34 min - Wellington regather the kickoff in their 22. Garden-Bachop clears to just short of the 10 metre line. Otago will have a lineout.
32 min - From Otago's clearing kick, Savea breaks three tackles and gets into the back-field. He is brought down where Otago give away a breakdown penalty. The Lions will have a shot a goal from out in front about 35 metres out. Garden-Bachop slots it down the middle. WEL 17-10
31 min - From the resulting lineout, otago try to clear but its charged down. Otago are forced back to their own 22 where Wellington give away a penalty for a head-high tackle. Otago will have a lineout on their own 22 metre line.
29 min - After both teams trade kicks, Otago win a breakdown penalty. Ioane will kick it down to the Wellington 10 metre line.
28 min - Otago win a breakdown turnover and Nareki clears to halfway to bring to an end a long period of play.
26 min - Wellington hot on attack holding the ball for 10 phases before Jamie Mackintosh turns it over. Otago try to clear but it's charged down by the Lions putting them back on attack.
23 min - After scrappy piece of play Otago knock-on and Wellington will have a scrum on the 22.
21 min - TRY Wellington. From the Otago clearing kick, Wellington counter. Goosen breaks two tackles two tackles before giving it to O’Reilly to score in the corner. Garden-Bachop converts from the sideline. WEL 14-10
20 min - A great cross field kick from Garden-Bachop finds Sarvea who breaks a tackle. He offloads to Umaga-Jensen who is brought down 5 metres out. Otago win a breakdown turnover to clear.
18 min - Otago are back on attack and after three phases, they give away a penalty for obstruction. Wellington will have a lineout on 10 metre line.
17 min - With Otago hot on attack Wellington skipper Du'Plessis Kirifi steals the ball to win the ball back. Garden-Bachop clears to the edge of the 22.
15 min - Otago produce a nice clearing kick from Michael Collins and from the resulting ruck win a breakdown penalty. Ioane will kick for touch. Otago will have a lineout 7 metres out.
14 min - From the kick-off Julien Savea knocks-on when trying to regather the kick.
12 min - TRY Otago. From resulting lineout. Otago produce a perfect lineout drive which results in Liam Coltman crashing over. Ioane nails the convertion from 37 metres out. OTG 10-7
11 min - Otago hot on attack with Ioane looking dangerous. Otago win a breakdown penalty for the Lions player not releasing the tackler. They will have a lineout 5 metres out.
9 min - After nine phases and good defence from Otago, they win a breakdown penalty. They will have a lineout on Wellington's 10 metre line.
8 min - Wellington hot on attack after charging down Otago's clearing kick.
6 min - Otago regather the kick-off. From the next phase Wellington are caught offisde in midfield. Josh Ioane will have a shot from 35 metres out. He slots it down the middle. WEL 7-3
4 min - TRY Wellington. Otago building there attack nicely, before Alex Fidow turns it over for the Lions. James O’Reilly breaks down the right-hand side before giving it to Trent Renata to opening the scoring. Garden-Bachop converts. WEL 7-0
1 min - Otago clear deep but their kick chases are offside, so Wellington get a penalty between the 22 and ten metre line. Garden-Bachop will have a shot from 35 metres out. He slices it to the right.
Kick-off - Jackson Garden-Bachop gets us underway for the Lions.
4:31pm - A beautiful day in Wellington with conditions perfect for attacking rugby. Sparce crowd at Sky Stadium, let's hope the players but on an entertaining contest for the fans in attendance.
*****
Kia ora, folks, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Mitre 10 Cup clash between Wellington and Otago.
Updates will begin from 4:35pm.
Sky Stadium is the venue for this afternoons encounter. Wellington are looking to bounce back after their heart-breaking overtime loss to Canterbury last week.
Otago are looking to bounce back after losing the Ranfurly Shield last week to Hawkes Bay.
Coach Leo Crowley has made three changes to his starting 15 with Taine Plumtree getting his first Mitre 10 Cup start at lock while Trent Renata slots in at fullback. Peter Umaga-Jensen starts after being released from All Blacks camp.
There are also two changes on the bench with Kaliopasi Uluilakepa and Aidan Morgan coming into the matchday squad.
For Otago, Josh Dickson returns from injury to claim a start at lock, while Samuel Fischli and Jono Hickey both get a chance to make their Otago debuts off the bench.
The front row is strengthened by prop Jamie Mackintosh and ex-All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman, while Josh Timu and Michael Collins switch positions at the back.
TAB: Wellington $1.10 Otago $6.10
Wellington: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-James O’Reilly, 3-Alex Fidow, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Taine Plumtree, 6-Vaea Fifita, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8-Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 9-Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 10-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11-Julian Savea, 12-Vince Aso, 13-Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14-Wes Goosen, 15-Trent Renata
Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Ben Aumua-Peseta, 18-Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 19-Caleb Delany, 20-Mateaki Kafatolu, 21-Connor Collins, 22-Aidan Morgan, 23-Pepesana Patafilo
Otago: 1-Jamie Mackintosh, 2-Liam Coltman , 3-Josh Hohneck, 4-Jack Regan, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-Charles Eaton, 7-Dylan Nel, 8-Sione Misiloi , 9-Kayne Hammngton, 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Aleki Morris, 13-Josh Timu, 14-Vilimoni Koroi, 15-Michael Collins
Reserves: 16-Ricky Jackson , 17-George Bower, 18-Yoshihisa Sasagi, 19-Will Tucker, 20-Samuel Fischli, 21-Jono Hickey, 22-Freedom Vahaakolo, 23-Sean Withy
Auckland 29 v Taranaki 28
Auckland (Rayasi 2, Lamb 2, Whetton; Hickey conversion, Plummer conversion) Taranaki (Kneepkens, Potroz 2 tries; Potroz 2 conversions & 3 penalties)
Hawkes Bay 10 v North Harbour 46
Hawke's Bay (Mikaele-Tu'u try; McLeod conversion & penalty) North Harbour (Page 3, Aoke, Gatland, Taramai, Hunt tries; Gatland 4 conversions & penalty)
FULLTIME - It's over in both games. North Harbour have thrashed Hawkes Bay scoring seven tries to two, while Auckland scored a late try through Rayasi, which was converted by Simon Hickey to grab the win 29-28.
76 min - TRY Auckland. After great build up play where Tanielu Tele'a was involved heavily. After a great snipe from Jonathan Ruru who is just short but offloads to Rayasi score. Simon Hickey converts to put Auckland in front. AKL 29-28
75 min - TRY North Harbour. A great cross-field kick from Gatland, who finds Tomas Aoake who bumps off Kurt Baker and finishes remarkable in the corner. Gatland slots the conversion from the touchline. NH 46-10
67 min - TRY Taranaki. After great build up play from Naki forwards, Jacob Raumaitayuki-Kneepkens finds space down the right side and scores in the corner. Jason Potroz misses the kick from out wide. TAR 28-22
63 min - TRY North Harbour. After great build up play from Harbour with Gatland instramental throughout the attack. Harbour prop, Mayhew finds a gap up the middle from 15m out, but doesn't have the pace to get there himself. So he pops an offload for Mafileo, who likewise is able to find Gatland off his shoulder. He crashes over after starting it with the initial pass to Mayhew! Gatland converts his own try. NH 39-10
60 min - TRY North Harbour. A great kick chase from Murphy Taramai and Jack Heighton who force a knock-on on the Auckland 5 metre line. Taramai picks up and strolls over under the posts. Gatland converts. NH 32-10
56 min - North Harbour win breakdown penalty. Gatland has a shot from 60 metres out and slots it straight down the middle. What a kick. NH 25-10
51 min - TRY Auckland. With Tarankai hot on attack in Auckland 22, Stephen Perofeta throws a poor pass and is intercepted by AJ Lamb to sprint 80 metres to score. Plummer misses kick. TAR 23-22
46 min - Yellow Card Hawkes Bay. Bay prop Jason Long yellow carded for pushing a Harbour player on the ground.
44 min - TRY Auckland. From a five metre scrum, replacement halfback Jonathan Ruru makes a dart down the short side before offloading to AJ Lamb to score in the corner. Plummer misses conversion from outwide. TAR 23-17.
Second half underway in Albany and Inglewood .....
HALFTIME - What a first half in both games. A lot of attack and a lot of tries. Taranaki and North Harbour are ahead at halftime.
39 min - TRY Harbour. Jarred Page grabs his 3rd for the afternoon. A bad pass from Hawkes Bay is intercpeted by Page and he runs 50 metres to score under the posts. Gatland converts. NH 22-10
36 min - TRY Auckland. After being denied twice by good Taranki defence Auckland finally crash over. From a five metre scrum Auckland attack. After 5 phases Jack Whetton is to strong for the Taranki defence. Plummer converts from in front. TAR 23-12
33 min - TRY North Harbour. A great cross field kick from Gatland who finds Page. He beats Sam McNicol and runs 40 metres to score in the corner. Gatland again misses the conversion. NH 15-10
30 min - Hawkes Bay win an attacking centre field and 38 metres out. Hawkes Bay halfback Connor McLeod slots it over. HKB 10 - NH 10
26 min - TRY North Harbour. North Harbour win a 5 metre lineout. Jacob Pierce takes it down and Harbour rumble forward before Harbour captian crashes over. Gatland misses the conversion from the sideline. NH 10-7
23 min - TRY Taranaki. A great individual try from Potroz. He beats AJ Lamb the Harbour defender and he goes over in the corner. Potroz converts his own try. TAR 23-5
20 Min - Taranaki win another penalty in Auckland 22. Again they decide to take the easy 3 points which Potroz slots over. TAR 16-5
19 min - TRY Hawkes Bay. Coming from an attacking maul.Thrown flat to Evans at the frontt the drive was initially well defended. However, as the maul crabbed infield, Mikaele-Tu'u spotted a chance to break from the back and crashed over. McLeod converts.HKB 7-5
14 min - Taranaki win an attacking penalty in the Auckland 22. They decide to take the easy 3 points. TAR 13-5
11 min - TRY North Harbour. North Harbour opening the scoring. The Magpies are made to pay for not clearing their red zone A Little offload in midfield creates some extra numbers on the right, with quick hands putting Jared Page away on the overlap. He races 20m untouched to the corner. Bryn Gatland misses the conversion from the sidline. NH 5-0
9 min - Taranaki TRY. Taranaki put a midfield bomb which is spilled by Jordan Trainor. It's regathered by Taranaki who gives it to Potroz to score in the corner. Potroz converts from the sidline. TAR 10-5
4 min - Tarankai respond straight away winning a penalty. They decide to take the points which Jayson Potroz slots over. AKL 5-3
1 min - TRY Auckland. Auckland make a hot start. Salesi Rayasi makes a break down the short side and beats the Taranaki fullback to get the opening try. Plummer misses the kick from out wide. AKL 5-0
2:05pm - We are underway in both matches with Auckland kicking off to Taranaki and Hawkes Bay kicking to North Harbour.
2:03pm - It's a beautiful day in both Albany and Inglewood. We will keep you up-to-date with all the scoring from both matches.
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to live updates of Saturday's four Mitre 10 Cup matches.
Due to the All Blacks test on Sunday afternoon, this weekend's schedule has changed, with two games kicking off at 2:05pm, followed by 4:35pm and 7:05pm matches.
Starting the afternoon, Taranaki host Auckland, while North Harbour welcome back fans for the first time this season, when they take on Hawke's Bay.
Then, Wellington will square off against Otago and to end the night, Waikato host Counties Manukau.
Don't forget, Sunday's two games kick off at the earlier time of 1:15pm, with the first All Blacks v Australia test starting at 4pm. Newshub will have live updates of all those games tomorrow.
For full team lists, click here.
