Northland has made NPC history, booking a spot in the final for the first time after dismantling Otago with a clinical 38-19 victory in Whangārei.
Despite losing both skipper Rob Rush and fullback James Ramm to injuries from the quarter-final, Northland was convincing from the get-go. After claiming the kickoff, they managed to get on the board in the first seven minutes, with Marcel Renata breaking through from the lineout. Rivez Reihana converted to put Northland up 7-0.
As the weather turned and light rain started to fall, Otago fought back, repeatedly pushing forward into enemy territory until Kieran McClea could sneak through to claim a try. Cameron Millar converted to equalise with the Taniwha, 7-7.
With the rain getting harder, Reihana slotted in a penalty kick after messy play from Otago, putting Northland back in front 10-7.
As the end of the first half of the semifinal approached, Northland was caught offside. Otago’s captain Christian Lio-Willie dug in and got the ball to the line for the try. Millar converted to put Otago ahead for the first time, 10-14.
As the clock hit 40 minutes, Northland continued to press forward. Otago was hit with penalties for multiple offside infractions, and Northland continued to inch their way towards the line. Renata then claimed his second try of the match, with Reihana easily converting to put Northland back in front going into the second half, 17-14.
Northland Joshua Goodhue recieves the ball from a line out, Otago Oliver Haig, rainbow during Northland vs Otago, NPC semi finals mens rugby union match at Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei, New Zealand on Saturday 26 September 2026.
Joshua Devenie / Photosport
Renata paid the price for his efforts, however, with a suspected broken collarbone identified during the break.
As the second half began, the rain had cleared – but the slippery ball meant both sides had their work cut out for them. The Taniwha managed to retain early possession, but Otago kept the pressure on them.
It couldn’t last forever, though, and Otago fell apart after a Taniwha scrum in the 57th minute, with Northland pushing through from a penalty for a try in the left corner from Heremaia Murray. Reihana converted from the sideline to extend Northland’s lead, 24-14.
More messy play from Otago gave Northland another penalty, and Reihana once more slotted it in to put his side up 27-14.
As the semi-final entered its final stretch, Reihana put another nail in Otago’s coffin, with yet another penalty kick extending the Taniwha’s lead after Otago was caught offside, 30-14.
Four minutes later, he did it again, putting his side up 33-14.
As Otago attempted to fight back in the 77th minute, Northland’s Nathan Salmon cut through for a try in the left corner. Now up 38-14, Reihana’s luck finally ran out as he missed the conversion.
Otago’s fate was sealed, but in the 80th minute Otago managed a consolation try, with Jona Nareki sliding through for a try on a loose ball. A missed conversion meant Otago finished the match 38-19.
The second semi-final will take place on Sunday afternoon, with Canterbury taking on Taranaki in Christchurch.
See how the match unfolded below:
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