Taranaki handed Southland their first loss of the ITM Cup season last night with a convincing performance in New Plymouth.

Northland were the architects of their own downfall in suffering to the hands of Waikato on Saturday night.

Former All Black teammates Tana Umaga and Luke McAlister will square off tomorrow in a provincial contest with international repercussions.

Taranaki rugby coach Colin Cooper would like nothing more than to have a quiet word with his players on Saturday night.

Sonny Bill Williams returns to the Canterbury starting 15 but not at second five in Saturday's match against Otago.

Auckland are looking to play a more expansive game in their ITM Cup matchup against Hawke's Bay tomorrow night.

All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko has been named on the bench for Auckland's ITM Cup clash against Hawke's Bay on Friday night.

All Black wing Joe Rokocoko has returned from leave early and wants to be involved in Auckland's next game.

After a season of minimal injury dramas, medical alerts for the All Blacks yesterday started bouncing round the nation.

Deep maroon tones with gold trim and highlights are the 'in' look this season in domestic rugby.

Counties Manukau survived a determined Northland comeback to secure a hard-fought 40-24 bonus point win.

Perseverance, commitment and a touch of magic from Sonny Bill Williams saw Canterbury return to winning ways yesterday.

If anything, this weekend made it harder to determine how the ITM Cup will play out, now it is approaching the business end.

A big crowd got to watch on for free as Canterbury secured the result they wanted with a 37-30 national provincial championship rugby win over Wellington in Christchurch today.