Tasman have booked their ticket for the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership showpiece, proving too dangerous for Taranaki.

The Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final returns to Christchurch.

North Harbour won a thrilling Mitre 10 Championship semifinal in the capital today, setting up a final against Otago/

Tasman Rugby CEO Tony Lewis thinks TV blackouts may help raise crowd numbers in the Mitre 10 Cup.

Live updates of the Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinal clash between Wellington and North Harbour at Westpac Stadium. Wellington

The Counties Manukau squad for Sunday's Premiership semifinal in Christchurch has more brackets than Mitre 10.

Chris Vui is excited about the prospect of his first tour with Manu Samoa next month, but uppermost in his mind is unfinished Mitre

WATCH: The world is discovering New Zealand's remarkable Barrett family and its rugby pedigree.

The 19-year-old Aucklander is quickly becoming one of New Zealand's most potent young talents.

Tasman have punched their playoff ticket with an eight-try victory over Southland at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

North Harbour need two competition points to qualify for the semifinals for the first time since 2006.

Veteran five-eighth Stephen Donald proved last night that he still knows exactly what to do when his number is called.

His penalty won us the Rugby World Cup final in 2011 and Stephen Donald is up to his heroics yet again with a match-winning try for Waikato.

Bay of Plenty have booked their spot in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinals - but only just.

The Steelers have sailed into the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership semifinals with a withering second half display against Canterbury.

Otago have snapped their three-game losing streak going into the Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinals after beating Manawatu 21-14 in Palmerston North tonight.

The Counties Manukau Steelers play an open, style of rugby that, for the most part, serves them well.

Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Counties Manukau v Canterbury ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe Saturday, 2.35pm Counties Manukau have rolled

Live updates of the Mitre 10 Cup clash between North Harbour and Tasman from Albany.

A loss to Taranaki could have Auckland missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Murphy Taramai headed north at the start of 2016 seeking an opportunity at North Harbour.

North Harbour will have their arch-rivals Auckland cheering for them in tonight's key Mitre 10 crossover clash in Albany.

The trial breakdown laws introduced to domestic rugby this year have been red carded.

The Championship playoff race in the Mitre 10 Cup will extend into the final round after Bay of Plenty this afternoon snatched a rousing

The Marty McKenzie show was on full display in the capital as Taranaki firmed as Premiership semifinalists with a dominant performance.

Hawke's Bay have been relegated from the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership after a 46-22 defeat at the hands of Waikato tonight.

Counties Manukau edged Otago 16-14 tonight in a mistake-riddled, defence-dominated match.

The Stags have notched up just their second win of the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup season with a win in Invercargill.

North Harbour gave their all in their second Ranfurly Shield clash of the season but ultimately had to bow to the best team.

Counties Manukau's insipid display against the Tasman Makos last week has painted them into a corner.