Otago put 35 years of hurt behind them with a second half flourish at Eden Park last night.

Live updates of tonight's two ITM Cup clashes as Counties Manukau host Manawatu followed by Auckland taking on Otago.

Otago will fancy their chances, having been significantly buoyed by their resounding first-up win over a poor North Harbour last week.

The big question out of North Harbour's first win of the season tonight is this: what was in their halftime water?

Auckland paid the ultimate price for a multitude of handling errors as Canterbury fought out a high-scoring 40-33 win.

Bay of Plenty lead Counties Manukau in their ITM Cup clash at Bayer Growers stadium in Pukekohe.

nzherald.co.nz brings you live updates of today's ITM Cup games and the international between the Wallabies and Samoa.

Winger Jason Woodward outshone his more illustrious teammates to grab three tries in Wellington's 23-5 over Taranaki.

Auckland's young pretender gets to show his prowess against All Black squad incumbent.

Waikato began their ITM Cup campaign with a tough 19-9 win over Southland at Rugby Park in Invercargill.

Friday night footy at nzherald.co.nz brings you live scoring of tonight's ITM Cup and NRL matches.

Since Dan Carter made the No 10 jersey his own at the end of 2004, the search for an heir apparent has been largely fruitless.

North Harbour's controversial start to the national rugby championship took a turn for the worse in Dunedin last night.

Luke McAlister may have played his last game for North Harbour.