Northland have beaten Otago 20-17 in a pulsating round five ITM Cup match at Toll Stadium, Whangarei.

Waikato notched their second win of the ITM Cup when they beat Tasman 33-6 in Hamilton tonight.

Southland successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield with a gutsy win in the wet to beat Counties Manukau 22-14 at Rugby Park in Invercargill.

nzherald.co.nz brings you live coverage of tonight's matches from the ITM Cup and NRL.

Counties Manukau might not have thrown the kitchen sink at Tasman, but they did throw the Bason on - and it proved decisive.

Hawke's Bay ended Otago's unbeaten start to the ITM Cup and emerge with a 27-13 victory at McLean Park.

For the second time in two years, an underdog Southland side travelled up to Christchurch and against all expectations prised away the Ranfurly Shield.

The Steamers have been careful to build some depth in their squad - something they will need if they continue to play with the pace and intensity they discovered last night.

Auckland have beaten Wellington 21-17 in their round three ITM Cup match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Bay of Plenty outflanked North Harbour to clinch a 38-17 victory over North Harbour in Mt Maunganui.

Southland lifted the Ranfurly Shield with 22-19 victory ending Canterbury's tenure at just two matches.

Put Auckland's early woes down to a sloppy mental side of the game rather than anything to do with their playing ability, according to coach Mark Anscombe.

How did they do it? With a lot of help from the home side is one reply.