Canterbury have clambered out of the provincial premiership relegation zone with a 34-33 win over top-ranked Auckland in Christchurch.
Ngane Punivai Photo: Photosport
Ahead 19-5 at half-time, Auckland fought off a spirited Canterbury second-half comeback and held a narrow 33-31 after Salesi Ryasi scored with nine minutes remaining.
However, Chay Fihaki added a crucial penalty two minutes later to his first-half try, and Canterbury hung on for the win.
Auckland remain top of the table, and will host Waikato next weekend.
North Harbour instead face premiership relegation, beaten 37-33 by Bay of Plenty earlier on Sunday despite opening out to a 21-0 lead midway through the first half.
The comeback win earns Bay of Plenty a trip to play defending champions Tasman in Nelson in next weekend's second premiership semifinal.
And in the final championship round robin game on Sunday, competition leaders Hawke's Bay pipped Taranaki 34-33 in Inglewood.
The two sides will meet again in next week's play-off, while Otago will host Northland in the second semifinal.
