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Tasman 19 Bay of Plenty 10
Tasman - MacDonald & Fainga'anuku tries; Hunt 3 penalties
Bay of Plenty - Webber try; Trask conversion & penalty
Fulltime - Fulltime - Tasman have put on a professional performance to book themselves a grand final spot against Auckland as they look to win back-to-back titles.
The second half was a real arm-wrestle, with the boat of Mitch Hunt kicking the Markos to a 19-10 victory.
77 mins - Tiatia breaks through the Markos defence and gets just five meters out. As he looks to offload Christie makes a last ditch tackle to force the mistake. Tasman will have a scrum just five meters out.
75 mins - The Steamer have just five minutes left to save their season. Trask puts a dangerous grubber into the Markos 22 and forces Telea to run the ball into touch.
Bay of Plenty will have a lineout just 10m out.
73 mins - PENALTY GOAL TASMAN to Mitch Hunt
Tasman win a breakdown just inside the Steamers half and they will go for a shot at goal. From 40m out Mitch Hunt has nailed it to mean Bay of Plenty need to score twice to win this game. (TAS 19-10)
69 mins - A stupid grubber kick from Otere Black has gone dead giving Tasman 22m drop out to ease the pressure.
67 mins - The Steamers are fighting for their lives and are back on the attack. Bay of Plenty get down to the Tasman 22 where Fainga'anuku gives away a breakdown penalty. The away side will have a lineout five meters out.
63 mins - A long period of play and a series of kicks between the two sides has resulted in Strange charging one down to put Tasman back on the attack. The Markos go wide but a pass is touched by the Bay and goes into touch.
58 mins - PENALTY GOAL TASMAN to Mitch Hunt
Tasman have started to set up camp in the Steamers. After a long period of play, the referee has awarded an offside plenty to Tasman. Mitch Hunt will have a shot at goal from 35m out and he has nailed it. (TAS 16-10)
52 mins - PENALTY GOAL BAY OF PLENTY to Kaleb Trask
The Steamers are starting to frustrate the home side through their strong defence. The Steamers produce a huge scrum to win a penalty 43 meters out. Trask will have a shot at goal and he nails it. (TAS 13-10)
47 mins - From a lineout, Fainga'anuku breaks the Steamers defence and gets into the 22. With the away side scrambling they find a way to win a breakdown penalty to ease the pressure.
43 mins - A period of aerial ping-pong to start the second half as both sides looked to get field position. Trask puts in a terrific kick to give Tasman a defensive lineout inside their own 22.
Kickoff - Otere Black has got us back underway.
Halftime - A very entertaining first half in this Premiership semi-final. The home side came out on fire putting consistent pressure on the Steamers.
Tasman made that pressure count when they got two tries in four minutes through MacDonald and Fainga'anuku to race out to a 13-0 lead.
The away side finished the half strongly and just before halftime Joe Webber crashed over to reduce the deficit.
38 mins - TRY BAY OF PLENTY to Joe Webber
The Bay make Tasman pay straight away. From a scrum, Joe Webber uses his size to crash his way over to get the Steamers right back in this semi final. Trask converts the try. (TAS 13-7)
36 mins - YELLOW CARD TASMAN to Sione Havili
From the scrum, the Steamers are looking dangerous with ball in hand. Tasman are scrambling and Sione Havili has given away another penalty and the referee has sent him to the bin.
32 mins - The Steamers are attacking through their forwards just five meters out. They go close but after seven phases their attack comes to nothing but the referee has awarded a breakdown penalty.
The away side will have a scrum just five meters out.
29 mins - The Steamers have finally got some possession in the Tasman half. Bay of Plenty are looking dangerous on the attack but Trask has knocked the ball on with the line at his mercy.
26 mins - TRY TASMAN to Leicester Fainga'anuku
Tasman have the Steamers under pressure with Fainga'anuku continuing to cause the defence trouble. The pressure continues from the Markos and after 13 phases, Tasman go wide to Fainga'anuku who crashes his way over to score in the corner. Hunt can't convert the try from out wide. (TAS 13-0)
22 mins - TRY TASMAN to Quentin MacDonald
From the lineout Tasman produce a perfect lineout drive and Quentin MacDonald has crashed over. Hunt has missed the conversion just wide. (TAS 8-0)
19 mins - Tasman have set up camp in the Bay of Plenty half and continuing to assert pressure. After 11 phases Tasman win a breakdown penalty and Hunt will give the Markos a lineout just five meters out.
15 mins - Tasman are back on attack just seven meters out but the Bay are scrambling well in defence. The Steamers win a breakdown penalty to ease the pressure.
10 mins - Tasman are straight back onto the attack looking dangerous with a strong run from Mark Telea has the Markos just five metrs out. Tasman are looking good with ball in hand but have knocked the ball on to ease the pressure.
7 mins - The Steamers have responded well from the opening points from Tasman. Strong runs from Webber and Tiatia have the Bay attacking inside the Markos 22.
After five phases, the home side win a breakdown penalty to ease the pressure.
3 mins - PENALTY GOAL TASMAN to Mitch Hunt
Tasman make a fast start to this contest. After regaining the kickoff, they go straight onto the attack. After four phases the Steamers give away a breakdown penalty and Mitch Hunt will have a shot at goal from 43m out. He nails it to open the scoring. (TAS 3-0)
Kickoff - Tasman get us underway through Mitch Hunt.
*****
7:03pm - Beautiful conditions in Nelson for this Premiership semif final.
*****
6:47pm - Our last match of an action packed Saturday of rugby will see Tasman host Bay of Plenty from Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
The winner of this match will travel to Eden Park to take on Auckland in the Premiership Final who beat Waikato 23-18 earlier on Saturday.
These two sides met in round five with Tasman coming away easy winners 33-7 in Nelson.
TAB: Tasman $1.27 Bay of Plenty $3.50
Tasman: 1-Ryan Coxon, 2-Quentin MacDonald, 3-Samuel Matenga, 4-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5-Quinten Strange, 6-Hugh Renton, 7-Sione Havili, 8-Taina Fox-Matamua, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-Tim O'Malley, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Mark Telea, 15-David Havili (c)
Reserves: 16-Samiuela Moli, 17-Isi Tuungafasi, 18-Blair Prinsep, 19-Isaac Ross, 20-Anton Segner, 21-Dwayne Polataivao, 22-Kieron Fonotia, 23-Tim Fainga'anuku
Bay of Plenty: 1-Tevita Mafileo, 2-Kurt Eklund, 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Stan Van Den Hoven, 5-Keepa Mewett, 6-Joe Johnston, 7-Mitchell Karpik, 8-Sam Dickson, 9-Luke Campbell, 10-Otere Black (c), 11-Joe Webber, 12-Chase Tiatia, 13-Matthew Skipwith-Garland, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15- Kaleb Trask
Reserves: 16-Nathan Vella, 17-Jordan Lay, 18-Ross Geldenhuys, 19-Zane Kapel, 20-Scott Curry, 21-Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22-Dan Hollinshead, 23-Regan Ware
Hawke's Bay 59 Taranaki 23
Hawke's Bay - Cridge, Rakete-Stones, Fakatava, McLeod, Dixon 3 & Funaki tries; Makene converson, McClutchie 7 conversions & penalty
Taranaki - Halls, Brighouse & Riccitelli tries; Potroz 2 penalties & conversion
Fulltime
40+1 minute - As Taranaki threaten the line, Potroz floats a long pass right and it's picked off. Bay counterattack and eventually Visinia kicks for his wing, but it rolls into touch. Game over - spectacular win for Bay, who will now host next week's Championship final.
Next up, Tasman host Bay of Plenty at 7pm for a spot in the Premiership final against Auckland.
40th minute - Taranaki win the lineout and drive over the line, but Florence is rolled on his back and can't force. Five-metre scrum.
39th minute - Sowakula launches another attack from the Taranaki 22 and they win a penalty on halfway, kicking to the corner.
35th minute - TRY to Taranaki, Ben Brighouse
Taranaki have another lineout five metres out and win advantage. The don't need it, as Riccitelli breaks from the maul and Brighouse runs support to score. Potroz can't convert from wide (HB 59-23).
30th minute - TRY to Hawke's Bay, Connor McLeod
Taranaki launch another attack from their own half, but when it breaks down, Baker puts a chip through from his own 22 and McClutchie gathers it. When he's closed down, he puts a centre-kick for Lowe, who can't quite make the line, but finds McLeod in support.
All he has to do is fall over to score. McClutchie continues his faultless kicking display to convert (59-18).
27th minute - TRY to Taranaki, Ricky Riccitelli
Crosswell wins the lineout and Taranaki forwards drive to the goal-line, where Riccitelli powers his way over to score. Potroz converts (HB 52-18).
26th minute - After 13 phases, Taranaki are awarded a penalty for Walker-Leawere's high tackle. Potroz kicks to the corner.
21st minute - TRY to Hawke's Bay, Ash Dixon
Evens throws a long pass to Mikaele-Tu'u, who rounds the corner and makes a long run down the right, eventually finding Fakatava running off him, before Dixon finishes the raid for his hat-trick - great try!
McClutchie converts (52-11).
20th minute - What little structure this game had, it's gone! Reserves have come on and both sides are throwing the kitchen sink at each other with little real accuracy.
13th minute - Try to Hawke's Bay, Folau Fakatava
Heartbreak for Taranaki, who have attacked relentlessly for several minutes, but turn the ball over inside the Bay 22. Fakatava slips a tackle and races away - he has McClutchie with him and Potroz chasing, but has way too much gas.
McClutchie converts (HB 45-11)
Fourth minute - TRY to Hawke's Bay, Ash Dixon
Lineout variation from Bay, who have previously mauled to the line, but this time run a move off the back. Mikaele-Tu'u is brought down just short and from the next phase, Dixon can't be denied for his second try.
McClutchie converts (HB 38-11).
Third minute - Taranaki are penalised in midfield for not releasing in a tackle and then marched 10 metres for backchat. Bay kick to the corner... it's on again.
First minute - Penalty to Hawke's Bay, Lincoln McClutchie
If Taranaki hope to score first after the break, they fail dismally. From the kickoff, they're whistled for obstruction in front of their posts and McClutchie slots the penalty to extend the lead (HB 31-11).
A crowd of 10,000 has taken advantage of free entry to attend today's game.
Halftime
40+1 minute - As the halftime siren goes, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens chips over the Bay line and chases, but Fakatava beats him to force and end the half.
39th minute - Taranaki have a penalty for a high tackle and Perofeta kicks to the corner.
37th minute - TRY to Hawke's Bay, Ash Dixon
Mikaele-Tuu wins the lineout and the Bay forwards roll to the line, with Dixon the beneficiary. McClutchie converts (HB 28-11).
36th minute - Hoeata is whistled for a high tackle and Bay have a penalty just outside the 22. McClutchie finds the corner.
33rd minute - TRY to Hawke's Bay, Pouri Rakete-Stones
From the kickoff, Bay are back on attack and eventually Ili puts a rolling kick towards the posts, where the prop has too much gas for the defence to score. McClutchie converts (HB 21-11).
31st minute - TRY to Hawke's Bay, Solomone Funaki
Baker takes a quick tap and the Bay forwards lay seige on the tryline. Eventually, Funaki is too strong and powers his way over.
McClutchie converts (HB 14-11).
29th minute - Fakatava features prominently, as Bay threaten the Taranaki line. when the ball goes left, McClutchie tries to float a pass to his wing, but it's intercepted.
Ref was playing advantage and Bay have a penalty a couple of metres out.
25th minute - TRY to Taranaki, Lukas Halls
Perofeta sparks an attack and Potroz runs right across the field, offloading to Halls, who bounces off a tackler and scrambles over the line on his knees. Potroz misses the conversion from wide (TAR 11-7).
Big change for Bay, with McClutchie replacing Makene, who was the defender bounced by Halls.
21st minute - Try to Hawke's Bay, Geoff Cridge
Taranaki are penalised for offside and Makene kicks to the corner for an attacking lineout. Cridge wins the throw, the maul starts to rumble, Taranaki infringe, but playing under advantage, Cridge is over the line.
Makene converts (HB 7-6).
18th minute - Period of attack from Hawke's Bay sees Makene and Baker trying to flick the ball quickly along the backline. Eventually, Taranaki scramble the ball into touch inside their 22.
14th minute - Penalty to Taranaki, Jayson Potroz
Big shunt from Taranaki at a scrum inside Bay half and they win a penalty - Potroz slots another goal (TAR 6-0).
12th minute - Flanders drives off the back of the Bay scrum, but when he's tackled, he regains his feet and is penalised. Taranaki clear to halfway.
10th minute - Taranaki are penalised at the lineout, after Hoeata starts a scuffle. Makene kicks to the corner, Cridge wins the throw and the forwards maul to the line - no-one has seen a grounding, so it's sent upstairs.
Replays suggest Parsons got there, but the try is disallowed - five-metre scrum for Bay.
Ninth minute - Seering break from first-five Makene puts Hawke's Bay on attack, but Ili is eventually bundled into touch a few metres out on the left.
Fourth minute - Penalty to Taranaki, Jayson Potroz
Promising move from Taranaki, after Lowe puts a kick through and the Bulls counterattack through Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who handles about three times in the movement.
Eventually, he can't take a pass a couple of metres out, but the ref is playing advantage and Potroz slots the penalty (TAR 3-0).
First minute - Perofeta kicks off for Taranaki and Mikaele-Tuu charges upfield for Bay.
4pm - Next up, top-of-the-table Hawke's Bay host Taranaki to find who face Northland in next week's Championship final. If it's the Magpies, they will host the decider at McLean Park.
These two sides met only a week ago, with the Bay squeaking home 34-33 at Inglewood.
Hawke's Bay: 1-Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2-Ash Dixon (c), 3-Joe Apikotoa, 4-Geoff Cridge, 5-Tom Parsons, 6-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7-Solomone Funaki, 8-Devan Flanders, 9-Folau Fakatava, 10-Caleb Makene, 11-Jonah Lowe, 12-Neria Fomai, 13-Stacey Ili, 14-Lolagi Visinia, 15-Kurt Baker
Reserves: 16-Jacob Devery, 17-Jason Long, 18-Namatahi Waa, 19-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20-Gareth Evans, 21-Connor McLeod, 22-Lincoln McClutchie, 23-Ollie Sapsford
Taranaki: 1-Jared Proffit, 2-Bradley Slater, 3-Reuben O'Neill, 4-Jarrad Hoeata, 5-Mitchell Brown (c), 6-Tom Florence, 7-Mitchell Crosswell, 8-Pita Gus Sowakula, 9-Warwick Lahmert, 10-Stephen Perofeta, 11-Lewis Ormond, 12-Brayton Northcott-Hill, 13-Lukas Halls, 14-Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 15-Jayson Potroz
Reserves: 16-Ricky Riccitelli, 17-Chris Gawler, 18-Ben May, 19-Findlamor Hoeata, 20-Rhodes Featherstone, 21-Lisati Milo-Harris, 22-Daniel Rona, 23-Codey Rei
TAB: Hawke's Bay $1.16, Taranaki $4.70
Auckland 23 Waikato 18
Auckland - Rayasi, Tele'a, Manu tries; Plummer 1 penalty, 1 conversion, Sullivan 1 penalty
Waikato - Taukei'aho, Thompson tries; Waaka 1 conversion, 2 penalty goal
Fulltime - It wasn't the best game of the season, with handling errors and penalties causing a stop-start contest, but it had a thrilling finish with Auckland holding on to book themselves a home final.
During a thrilling final minute, Waikato were hot on the attack inside the home side's 22. Auckland came up with a critical breakdown penalty to book themselves a spot in the final.
Auckland scored two second-half tries through Tanielu Tele'a and Tumua Manu to give the home side a hard-fought 23-18 victory over a spirited Waikato side.
Join us at 4:35pm for live updates of the second Championship semi final between Hawke's Bay and Taranaki.
80 mins - With Auckland keeping it tight with the forwards running the clock down but Waikato win a breakdown penalty. The away side take it quickly and get their attack straight down to the Auckland 22.
After 10 phases Auckland wins a critical breakdown penalty as the siren goes and Auckland is into the final.
77 mins - Waikato continue to attack with their season on the line. After seven phases Auckland wins a crucial breakdown penalty to ease the pressure. Auckland will have a lineout 40m out from the away sides line.
73 mins - After three re-set scrums Auckland get front foot ball and Tanielu Tele'a drops an easy pass. To continue to give Waikato hope.
69 mins - After three re-set scrums Auckland get front foot ball and Tanielu Tele'a drops an easy pass. To continue to give Waikato hope.
64 mins - Waikato are building the phases on the attack just inside their half. After eight phases Luke Jacobson gives away a silly breakdown penalty and Plummer will have a shot at goal.
From 40m out he has missed another one to keep Waikato within seven points.
59 mins - Waaka grabs an intercept and gets down to Auckland's 22. After eight phases the home side gives away an offside penalty and the Mooloos will have a shot at goal. Waaka misses a simple shot at goal.
56 mins - PENALTY GOAL WAIKATO to Waaka - The away side wins a breakdown penalty right in front of the posts and Waaka will take the easy penalty goal, which he nails. (AKL 23-18)
54 mins - Auckland continue to pile pressure on Waikato and are attacking just inside the Mooloos half. The home side gives away a silly penalty and Waikato will have a lineout 20m out.
52 mins - TRY AUCKLAND to Tumua Manu - What a try from Auckland. They counter attack from their own 22 and Rayasi break clear and gets over halfway. He produces a miracle offload to find Manu who scores in the corner. Plummer misses the conversion from out wide. (AKL 23-15)
49 mins - Auckland produce another big scrum and wins a penalty to allow them to clear their lines.
48 mins - Waikato have a lineout just five metres out. They attack through the forwards and Taukei’aho is held up just short of the line and the home side will have a scrum and try to clear to ease the pressure.
44 mins - TRY AUCKLAND to Tanielu Tele'a - Auckland get a well deserved try after eight phases of attack inside Waikato's 22. Plummer takes the ball to the line and produces a great offload to find Tanielu Tele'a who scores under the posts. Plummer converts the try. (AKL 18-11)
42 mins - Auckland have come out of the sheds the better of the two sides. Hamilton Burr gives away a silly penalty for a no arms tackle off the ball and the home side have a lineout 15m out.
Kickoff - Waikato get us back underway.
Halftime - That is halftime and what an entertaining contest we've had. Waikato started brightly with tries through Samisoni Taukei'aho and Adam Thomspon to put the away side up 12-6.
Auckland came back into the contest and got a try through their star wing Salesi Rayasi to have them only four points down at halftime.
37 mins - Auckland are struggling to get out of their half with Waikato showing great defence. The away side force Auckland into a mistake and will have a scrum 30m out.
34 mins - Waikato are starting to build pressure inside the home sides half. After five phases, Auckland give away a breakdown penalty and Waaka will have a shot at goal from right in front 35m out but he has missed it
22m drop out Auckland.
30 mins - Auckland are building their attack and are looking dangerous inside Waikato's 22. The home side give away a breakdown penalty and the Mooloos take it quickly.
Taukei’aho is smashed but lucky for Waikato they win another penalty to ease the pressure.
25 mins - AUCKLAND TRY to Salesi Rayasi - Auckland have a lineout just 10m out. The home side works a short side play and Ruru flicks a pass behind his back and finds Rayasi who strolls over out wide. Plummer misses the conversion. (WAI 15-11)
21 mins - PENALTY GOAL WAIKATO to Waaka - Auckland are looking to counter attack but Waikato show great defense and wins a breakdown penalty 40m out right in front. Waaka will have a shot at goal and nails it. (WAI 15-6)
16 mins - Waikato fail to clear from the kickoff and give away a breakdown penalty. Plummer has a simple shot at goal but has missed it wide.
13 mins - WAIKATO TRY to Adam Thompson - Presley Tufuga knocks the ball on and the home side falls asleep in defense expecting the whistle to be blown. It doesn't come and Waikato punishes them.
They quickly spread the ball wide and find Adam Thompson who crashes over in the corner. Waaka converts the try. (WAI 12-6)
10 mins - PENALTY GOAL AUCKLAND to Harry Plummer - Auckland have all the momentum and are straight back on the attack after a strong run from Rayasi. After eight phases the home side wins a penalty right in front of the posts. Plummer nails the penalty goal to put Auckland in front. (AKL 6-3)
8 mins - PENALTY GOAL AUCKLAND to Zarn Sullivan - Auckland have responded well from Waikato's opening try. The home side produce a huge scrum and win a penalty 43m out. Sullivan will have a shot at goal and slots it down the middle. (WAI 5-3)
5 mins - TRY WAIKATO to Samisoni Taukei’aho - Auckland charge down Landsdown's clearing kick, which puts everyone onside. It falls luckily for Quinn Tupaea on halfway who breaks clear before offloading to Burr.
He draws and passes to put Taukei’aho over in the corner. Waaka can't convert the try. (WAI 5-0)
2 mins - Auckland have made a strong start to this contest attacking just short of Waikato's 22. After six phases, the Mooloos win a breakdown penalty and will have a lineout just 40m out.
Kickoff - Auckland get us underway.
*****
2:03pm - Overcast conditions in Auckland but not a breath of wind. We should be in for an entertaining contest in this first Premiership semi final.
*****
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of Saturday's Mitre 10 Cup action where the finalists for the Championship and Premiership will be decided.
Northland have already booked their spot in the Championship final, and will face either Hawke's Bay or Taranaki in next weekend's decider. If the Magpies win, the final will be played in Napier, but if the Bulls win, they will travel up to Whangarei in the title decider.
First up at 2:05pm, 2018 champions Auckland host Waikato at Eden Park. Victory for Auckland would see them host next weekend's final.
Then, at 4:35pm Hawke's Bay face Taranaki for the second consecutive week.
Finally at 7:05pm, defending Premiership champions Tasman host Bay of Plenty, who head into the match on a five-game win streak.
For full team lists, click here
TAB head-to-head
Auckland $1.28 Waikato $3.45
Hawke's Bay $1.19 Taranaki $4.35
Tasman $1.26 Bay of Plenty $3.60
Northland stun Otago to reach Championship final
Northland have pulled off a remarkable perfomance to clinch a spot in the Championship final next weekend.
A clinical second half showing saw the Taniwha come-from-behind to grab victory 32-19 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Tries in the second half to Jordan Olsen, Sam Nock and Mitch Matich saw the away side clinch a seesawing match.
Northland started the first half the better of the two sides and raced out to a 10-0 thanks to a try to Jone Macilai.
The home side finished the first half strongly and grabbed a deserved lead thanks to tries through Jona Nareki and Josh Timu.
But the Taniwha was too good in the second-half and came away deserved winners.
Northland will wait on the result of Saturday's second championship final to see where they'll play the final. If Hawke's Bay win the Magpies will host the decider, but if Taranaki win, the final will be played in Whangarei.
