Hooker George Bell scored a hat-trick of tries and winger Chay Fihaki bagged a double as Canterbury saw off fast-finishing North Harbour 25-24 in a compelling NPC match in Albany.
Canterbury’s powerful pack laid the platform for Bell to bag three tries in the second quarter of the match as the visitors took a 15-7 lead into the interval after playing into a blustery wind.
Fihaki’s double ensured Canterbury kept their nose in front throughout the second half but they had to survive a torrid Harbour finish.
Yellow cards in the final 10 minutes shown to Canterbury forwards Manumaua Letiu and Tonga Helu left the Cantabrians exposed.
The home side capitalised on the numerical advantage, with prop Riley Tofilau powering over for his second try.
Harbour fielded the subsequent kickoff and, with the final hooter sounded, swept steadily downfield against 13 men and threatened to snatch a late win before an error ruined their plans.
Defending champions Canterbury, who didn’t land any of their five conversion attempts, notched a third straight win to climb to fourth on the standings with two rounds remaining.
They’re one place ahead of Harbour, who could have gone top of the standings if victorious, such as the compact nature of the top of the table.
Hawke’s Bay still lead – despite having their last two games – but they, Northland, Otago, Canterbury and North Harbour are separated by just three points.
Northland rumbled past Wellington 52-28 in the capital, delivering the winless home side their 10th straight defeat spanning back to last season – equalling the province’s worst ever run of losses.
Last year’s runners-up Otago opened the weekend with an ominous 50-21 win over Counties-Manukau while Auckland needed a late penalty to pip Tasman 24-22.
Hawke’s Bay’s concerning form continued with a 32-17 loss to Bay of Plenty while Waikato remained in semi-final contentin with a fighting 36-27 home win over Manawatu.
Follow how the game unfolded below: