Can anyone stop Canterbury?
No side is mathematically out of the hunt for the Plunket Shield with two rounds remaining, given the generous point hauls on offer, and even Auckland in fifth can still win.
But that needs an incredible series of results, the first of which is a win in their penultimate game against Otago, starting at the University Oval in Dunedin tomorrow.
After failing in their chase of 361 to beat Canterbury in their last fixture - being dismissed for 296 despite Craig Cachopa's 118 - Auckland now trail the Wizards by 30 points.
With a maximum of 20 available every match, Auckland have a steep hill to climb, especially considering their opponents this weekend have a much more realistic chance of overhauling the leaders.
