Hawke's Bay celebrate retaining the Ranfurly Shield © Getty Images

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Counties Manukau have denied Tasman from topping the ITM Cup premiership table, coming back from 16-7 with 20-minutes to go to defeat Makos 21-16 in their clash in Blenheim. Taking an early lead, Tasman needed to score just one more point to overtake Taranaki in the race for top spot, but a fast finishing Steelers side scored to quick tries in the final minutes to finish their season on a high.

Early mistakes cost the Steelers as Makos kicked three early penalties to take a nine-point lead, but a quick try to Bundee Aki crossed in his final match for the Steelers closed the gap heading into the half-time break.

Making his way onto the field early, Sonny Bill Williams wasn't able to help the Steelers as Makos added to their lead with a Robbie Malneek try. Tasman managed to hold under Steelers pressure but eventually the Steelers found a crack in the Makos defence and crashed over for two unanswered tries.

Sonny Bill Williams takes on the Tasman defence © Getty Images

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A second-half yellow card has proved extra costly for Taranaki as they were run down by Canterbury 26-23 in their Premiership rugby clash in New Plymouth. Taranaki needed a bonus-point win to guarantee they headed into next weekend's semi-finals as the highest ranked qualifiers.

They looked on target to achieving that when winger Waisake Naholo scored their third try in the 56th minute for a 23-9 lead. However, five minutes later, Naholo was adjudged to have made a deliberate knock-down and was sent to the bin.

Canterbury took advantage off their man advantage to run in two tries in three minutes to flanker Matt Todd and winger Johnny McNicholl. First five-eighth Tom Taylor kicked both conversions and then a penalty five minutes from time to end the defending champions' three-match losing streak.

Taranaki now have to hope that second-placed Tasman do not get more than one competition point from their match against second-tier Counties Manukau later on Sunday. After Taranaki opened with two penalty goals, centre Seta Tamanivalu continued his excellent season by finishing off a team try.

Tamanivalu then turned provider, his slick off-load while two defenders hung on to him sending winger Cody Rei over the line. His next assist, a one-handed pass thrown while falling in a tackle, was an even more remarkable effort and led to Naholo's eighth try of the season. But Naholo's yellow card put the brakes on Taranaki's bid for an eighth win in a row.

Auckland have earned a premiership semi final berth after they ended their regular season with a strong 38-10 win over Northland at Eden Park. Auckland needed to win with a four-try bonus point to avoid Counites Manukau overtaking them and they were finally able to do so late in the match with a Nepia Fox-Matamua try to secure Auckland's spot in the playoffs for the third straight year.

Auckland suffered a slow start with Northland finding the whitewash early, but Gareth Anscombe's boot and his try, Auckland's only try of the first half, that kept the side in the match in the first half, as they converted four penalties to take a 19-10 lead into the break.

After a long 20-minute period with no change in score, Auckland finally broke through Northland's defence to send Lolagi Visinia and captain Tom McCartney over in quick succession. With only minutes left in the match Auckland were continuing to search for their fourth try when Fox-Matamua crashed over to secure their playoff spot.

Auckland go over for a try © Getty Images

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Hawke's Bay have clung on to the Ranfurly Shield, a last-minute Ihaia West drop goal securing a 20-20 draw against Southland in an action-packed clash in Napier. First five-eighth West had missed with an attempt four minutes earlier before nailing another from closer range to keep the trophy in the Magpies' hands for the summer.

Southland's disappointment at missing out on the Log o' Wood was tempered by the fact that they secured the last play-off spot in the NPC's Championship division. Three other sides - Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Northland - had already confirmed their semi-final berths.

Southland made much of the early running at McLean Park and got on the board in the ninth minute thanks to livewire fullback Junior Ngaluafe, who was a constant threat. Ngaluafe got the ball on his own 10-metre before stepping and sprinting his way through the defence to dot down.

When first-five Lima Sopoaga barged through two tacklers to touch down, the Stags looked in control. However, Hawke's Bay fought back with two quick tries to winger Shannan Chase to go into the break up 17-14.

The first came after a couple of big carries from centre Robbie Fruean, the second from a sweeping movement from the re-start. The Stags went back in front courtesy of two Sopoaga penalties, before West struck the final blow.

Wellington won their first match of the ITM Cup and put a major dent in North Harbour's semi-final ambitions with a 58-34 victory on Saturday.

North Harbour went into the match in fourth place in the Championship but level on points with fifth-placed Southland, which can take the final berth with a bonus point or better against Hawke's Bay.

North Harbour led 17-15 at half-time but the home side put on six second-half tries to end their season on a positive note. North Harbour scored two tries in each half but fell away late in the match.

TJ Perenara put in an excellent performance at scrum-half and was rewarded with a try off a kick return with three minutes remaining, while veteran lock Ross Filipo scored a try and kicked two conversions in what is likely to be his final appearance for Wellington.

Manawatu reinforced their role as favourites for promotion from the ITM Cup Championship after a 38-25 victory over Otago in Dunedin on Friday night.

The Turbos cemented top spot and home games throughout the playoffs, while Otago dropped out of the semi-finals race. Manawatu have lost just two matches throughout the competition and will be daunting opponents for whoever is matched up against them next week.

Manawatu enjoyed the indoor conditions under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, racking up a bonus point early in the second half. Otago played with the grit expected of a side playing for its competition life but the Turbos' class shone in the end.

Manawatu went into the break up 21-13 and Hamish Northcott's late try ensures his side would head to the playoffs full of confidence.

Waikato finished their NPC season with a win, accounting for Championship team Bay of Plenty 29-12 in a cross-over match in Hamilton on Thursday. Waikato held an unconvincing 10-5 lead at half-time but finished strongly, replacement centre Jordan Payne crossing for the bonus-point try in the last minute of play.

Scrum-half Brad Weber sparked Waikato into action after 20 minutes with his fourth try of the season. Fly-half Damian McKenzie latched onto a turnover, and good support play and quick hands put the skipper over between the posts. Five minutes later, Bay of Plenty fullback Byron McGuigan crossed for the first of his two tries after halfback Jono Kitto pounced quickly on turnover ball.

Waikato found more rhythm in the second half, an intercept try to young hooker Hame Faiva extending their lead 12 minutes into the second half. McGuigan picked up his second try of the night to narrow Waikato's lead to 17-12 after 64 minutes. However, winger Declan O'Donnell dotted down out wide to restore the margin three minutes later, and Waikato controlled possession in the closing stages to wrap up the win, sealed by Payne's late try.

A fired-up Counties Manukau, with Sonny Bill Williams making an appearance off the bench, kept their NPC play-off hopes alive with a comprehensive 41-18 win over Auckland in Pukekohe. The Steelers were already up 27-11 and had scored a bonus-point fourth try when a roar went up as Williams came on in the 60th minute.

The dual international's return to rugby after two years in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters had resulted in a packed main stand and there were also plenty of spectators on the bank. He produced a couple of crash balls, a run from inside his own 22 and then a grubber ahead that set up attacking field position.

Counties Manukau were strong up-front and their dominant scrum provided the platform for them to go ahead midway through the half.

Auckland halfback Junior Poluleuligaga's knock-down of a pass when the Steelers had an overlap led to a yellow card and a penalty try. The visitors did well to keep the home side scoreless while a man down, but the Steelers then produced a great try to go into halftime up 15-5.

Auckland's defeat came at a hefty injury cost, with both winger George Moala and No.8 Peter Saili taken from the field on stretchers. They still hold a one-point lead over Counties-Manukau on the table and remain favoured to take the last semi-final spot. In the final round this weekend, Auckland host second-tier Northland in a cross-over match, while Counties Manukau are away to high-flying Tasman.

Sonny Bill Williams began his return to rugby with a win © Getty Images

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