Hawke's Bay 25 Tasman 17

Hawke's Bay reverted to what it does best to get a key hold on this game with its pack providing a secure foundation. Their rolling lineout maul produced the opening try for hooker Tyrone Thompson. They looked to employ it again, but Tasman managed to apply a brake, however, the ball was kicked by Danny Toala and wing Neria Fomai needed no second asking to take the ball to extend the score. Tasman showed their attacking propensity with halfback Noah Hotham scoring.

Down 10-17 at the turn, Tasman looked to halt the Bay dominance up front and evened things out but not enough to deny the home team. Fomai scored a second to extend the margin although Tasman narrowed it again with Viliami Napa'a scoring a late try. Hawke's Bay still faced a wait over the weekend to see if Otago could get up over Canterbury to deny them a place in the quarterfinals.

Hawke's Bay 25 (Tyrone Thompson, Neria Fomai 2, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u tries; Lincoln McClutchie con, pen) Tasman 17 (Noah Hotham, Viliami Napa'a tries; Taine Robinson con, pen; William Havili con). HT: 17-10

COMPETITION AND PLAYOFF INFO

Canterbury finished as the highest-placed side, losing only once during the competition, while scoring 46 competition points to head the Evens Conference and will host Northland who stormed home against Manawatū with a 41-24 win in Kaikohe.

Neighbours North Harbour and Auckland will contest the first quarterfinal of the weekend on Friday night. North Harbour having raced to a stunning 66-8 win over Southland while Auckland produced a strong second half to beat Taranaki 38-24.

While the top four were assured after Otago failed to contain Canterbury in the Evens Conference, it came down to final placings with Bay of Plenty and Waikato going into their final game with one point between them in the Odds Conference. There was also one point between them on the field with Waikato getting home 35-34 to claim home advantage in a repeat game while Canterbury will host Northland.

Wellington secured top spot in the Odds Conference and a home quarterfinal against Hawke’s Bay with a commanding 64-31 win over Counties Manukau.

Canterbury's Fergus Burke became the third player to reach 100 points for the competition, on 102. Bryn Gatland, for North Harbour, has 129 points while Waikato's Damian McKenzie is on 113. Riley Hohepa's season for Counties Manukau ended with him on 99 points while Bay of Plenty's Kaleb Trask in 88 and Hawke's Bay's Lincoln McClutchie is on 86.

North Harbour's Tevita Li has most tries with 12, with BOP's Emoni Narawa on eight, with Tasman's Macca Springer.

Quarter Final Schedule:

Friday 7 October 7:05pm

QF1: North Harbour (2) vs. Auckland (3)

North Harbour Stadium (North Shore)

Saturday 8 October 2:05pm

QF2: Wellington (1) vs. Hawke’s Bay (4)

SKY Stadium (Wellington)

Saturday 8 October 4:35pm

QF3: Canterbury (1) vs. Northland (4)

Orangetheory Stadium (Canterbury)

Sunday 9 October 2.05pm

QF4: Waikato (2) vs. Bay of Plenty (3)

FMG Stadium, Hamilton (Hamilton)

Source - provincial.rugby

Article added: Monday 03 October 2022