Auckland scored 21 unanswered points in the secondhalf to triumph in the 'battle of the bridge' over North Harbour at North Harbour Stadium in Albany.

Waikato have defeated Counties Manukau 22-15 in a scrappy encounter at Bayer Growers Stadium in Pukekohe.

Live updates of today's two rugby matches, featuring two Super Rugby inter-franchise battles.

Manawatu have returned to the top of the Championship table of the ITM Cup with a hard-fought 15-10 victory over Taranaki.

Southland signed off Carisbrook's 128-year history with a strangely anti-climactic 19-12 win over Otago in the last game at the grand old ground today.

nzherald.co.nz has live updates of tonight's ITM Cup and NRL games.

Hawkes Bay bounced back from their defeat mid-week to Tasman to see-off big brothers Wellington in stunning style at McLean Park in Napier.

Canterbury outflanked Tasman 36-32 to record a bonus-point victory at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim.

In Mark Anscombe's book, there's only one way out of Auckland's national championship troubles.

Bay of Plenty have cemented their spot at the top of the ITM Cup ladder with a 32-0 victory over Wellington at Bay Park Stadium in Mt Maunganui.

Taranaki inflicted yet more doubt and uncertainty on Auckland with a ITM Cup win at New Plymouth today.

Live updates from all of today's rugby and league action with two ITM Cup clashes and three NRL encounters.

Canterbury ended a difficult week on a positive note by beating ITM Cup rugby rivals Manawatu 42-15 in Christchurch today.