Esi Komaisavai of Wellington celebrates a try against Hawke's Bay. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Defending NPC champions Wellington can feel their title defence slipping away, as they lost to Northland 43-26 on Thursday.
Follow the action as it happened:
A hattrick to Fehi Finengeanofo has helped the Steamers to a much-needed, bonus-point result.
The red-and-blacks have become the most successful challengers in the history of the Log O' Wood.
A big halftime lead by the home side would always be too big a challenge for the visitors.
Auckland's now embarrassingly winless NPC campaign continued with a defeat in rain-soaked Porirua.
Sixteen members of the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad will play for their provincial unions this weekend.
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