Canterbury have snapped their two-game losing streak in historic fashion, recording the first golden point victory in the Mitre 10 Cup.
After one-point defeats to both Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, Canterbury again went down to the wire, heading to the competition's first golden point when tied at 26 with Wellington.
Wellington first-five Jackson Garden-Bachop missed a chance to be the hero when he snapped a drop goal wide, before he turned into the villain by throwing a pass which Isaiah Punivai intercepted to race away and score the match-winning try.
Canterbury were down 26-21 with time running out in regulation, before Tom Christie scored to draw them level, with Fergus Burke missing a potential game-winning conversion, but Punivai salvaging a victory with his golden point heroics.
Canterbury celebrate Isaiah Punivai's match-winning try in golden point. Photo / Photosport
The win moves Canterbury into the top four in the Premiership, though they remain behind Wellington, who picked up two bonus points despite the defeat.
There was also an important win for Counties Manukau, who had a Alamanda Motuga hat-trick to thank as they beat Manawatū 36-30.
Down 25-15 shortly after hafltime, Counties stormed back with three quick tries to notch their first win and move off the bottom of the Championship ladder, while Northland are the surprise leaders of the Championship after tipping over Taranaki 35-25.
Here's how the Canterbury and Wellington golden point drama unfolded.
