New Zealand: five remain in contention

Waikato's semi-final hopes come to an end with a home defeat to Manuwatu (Photo:Dominco Zapata/Fairfax NZ/Waikato Times)

Champions Auckland moved into second place after a dramatic win, having to come from behind to beat Canterbury on Saturday. Tries from Phillipa Cook and Sui Pararaisa, plus Kendra Cocksedge’s boot, meant that Canterbury went into the break 18-ahead, with only Linda Itunu’s try getting the champions on the board.

But the second half was a totally different game, with Auckland crossing the line four times, with Kiri Demant’s two tries at the end of the game proving decisive as they edged out Canterbury for a 29-25 win – which was enough to put them top, for 24 hours.

Auckland reign at the top did not outlast Sunday as Counties Manukau proved too strong for Bay of Plenty, who ended a disappointing campaign bottom of league, and pointless. Counties swept to a 28-0 halftime lead, and – with points difference possibly decisive next weekend – did not let up, eventually scoring seven tries in a 45-12 win, including a hat-trick of tries to Renee Wickliffe.

Wellington kept in contention with an impressive 40-20 win over Otago at Porirua Park, pulling away after shaving the first half by a single point. Ayesha Leti-liga and Georgia Daals both scored twice as Wellington crossed the line six times, Lizzie Goulden converting five of them.

That bonus point win put pressure on Waikato to perform well against Manawatu Cyclones at Waikato Stadium on Sunday – but a 25-11 defeat saw their hopes of making the semi-finals come to an end.

After Tenika Willison nudged Waikato 6-0 ahead with two penalties Manawatu surged back to control the first half and leave the hosts chasing the game in Hamilton. Aroha Nuku touched down under the posts, before Shanna Porima leapt over a ruck to score and the give the visitors a 12-6 lead at the interval.

The hosts then held on to the ball after the hooter sounded, in a late push for points in the first half, but two knock-ons allowed referee Natarsha Ganley to call for a breather.

Krysten Duffill add another three off the tee, to stretch Manawatu's lead to nine before the hosts hit back, as Stacey Waaka darted down the left, leaving the Cyclones defenders in a spin, to score in the corner.

But Selica Winiata then sliced through to score with Waikato's left-edge opened up after an attack from a scrum, before Nicole Dickins added another to make it 25-11.

Waikato's third defeat from the opening five rounds leaves them six points adrift from the top four, and out of contention for the semi-finals – but Manuwatu now have a very good chance of making the final four when they visit North Harbour next week, as rivals Wellington – only two points ahead – are away to leaders Counties Manukau.

Week Five results:

Canterbury 25 (Phillipa Cook, Sui Pararaisa, Elizabeth Para tries; Kendra Cocksedge 2 con, 2 pen) Auckland 29 (Linda Itunu, Onjeurlina Leiataua, Lose Mafi, Kiri Demant 2 tries; Emma Jensen 2 con). HT: 18-5

Wellington 40 (Ayesha Leti-liga 2, Georgia Daals 2, Acacia Te Iwimate, Joanah Ngan-Woo tries; Lizzie Goulden 5 con) Otago 20 (Georgina McCullough, Greer Muir, Kelly Brazier tries; Brazier con, Megan Manson pen). HT: 14-13

Bay of Plenty 12 (Lavinia Gould, Nicole Cawthorn tries; Gould con) Counties Manukau 45 (Krystal Murray, Renee Wickliffe 3, Lauryn Steed, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali, Badinlee Munro-Smith tries; Hazel Tubic 5 con). HT: 0-28

Waikato 14 (Stacey Waaka try; Tenika Willison 3 pen) Manawatu 25 (Aroha Nuku, Shanna Porima, Silica Winiata, Nicole Dickins tries; Krysten Duffill con, pen). HT: 6-12

2016 FARAH PALMER CUP

Team

Played

Win

Draw

Loss

For

Against

BP1

BP2

Points

Counties Man

4

4

0

0

174

25

4

0

20

Auckland

4

4

0

0

155

77

4

0

20

Canterbury

4

3

0

1

175

60

3

1

16

Wellington

4

3

0

1

117

91

2

1

15

Manawatu

4

2

0

2

102

74

3

2

13

Waikato

5

2

0

3

85

94

1

0

9

North Harbour

4

1

0

3

53

125

1

0

5

Otago

4

0

0

4

59

199

1

0

1

Bay of Plenty

5

0

0

5

26

201

0

0

0