Eight teams still in the hunt for NPC honours

Just seven points separate the top eight teams in the NPC first division, making this weekend's round one of the most intriguing finishes in recent years.

Eighth-placed Bay of Plenty are still in with a chance of reaching the semifinals, but who will play who then still remains guesswork.

The feature clash of the last round is Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield defence against Auckland in Christchurch on Saturday.

Otago, after beating Wellington 26-8, jumped to the top of the table with 27 points.

They play Taranaki at Carisbrook on Sunday.

Waikato, with 25 points, moved into second after their 33-12 victory against Bay of Plenty.

They are followed by Canterbury (24), Auckland, Wellington, Southland (all on 23), and North Harbour and Bay of Plenty (both 20).

The crammed finish reflects a season with most All Blacks withdrawn from the competition.

Wellington appear to have the most favourable fixture, against Northland, a team beaten by every other side in the championship.

They could also be awarded the points for their loss to North Harbour, who had fielded an ineligible player, Chad Alcock.

Wellington's appeal against the Rugby Union's decision to punish North Harbour with only a fine will be heard on Wednesday.

Canterbury had not done well on the road until they beat North Harbour 18-10 at Albany on Saturday night. Though North Harbour put up a brave show, they played catch-up after halfback Jamie Nutbrown scored Canterbury's first try in the 18th minute.

Cameron McIntyre's timely drop goals kept Canterbury clear when North Harbour looked like gaining momentum.

Waikato lifted their intensity against Bay of Plenty.

Playing at home, Waikato scored four tries to two, led 20-0 at halftime and 33-0 halfway through the second spell before Bay of Plenty scored two tries in the last quarter.

Auckland gave Canterbury a warning with their 50-17 win over Northland.

Running in eight tries to two, Auckland had few problems disposing of the last-placed team and leaped up from eighth place.

Talented centre Ben Atiga was the Auckland stand-out, scoring two tries in his 20-point haul.

Richard Apanui added three penalties to his conversion of Jimmy Cowan's try yesterday at New Plymouth to keep Southland in the hunt.

Taranaki scored two tries to Southland's one, Apanui's kicking the difference in their 16-13 win.

- NZPA

NPC points table