Rugby: Week 12 ITM Cup wrap

Otago remain bottom of the ITM Cup with one week left. Photo / Getty Images

After 12 weeks of Southland, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty toying with top four spots it's the usual suspects who seem likely to play out the ITM Cup semifinals.

With one week remaining in the competition's round robin, Canterbury, Auckland, Waikato and Wellington round out the top four.

Canterbury ensured the Ranfurly Shield stays in Christchurch for the summer after a convincing win over Counties Manukau on Saturday night, booking a semifinal spot in the process.

The Cantabs can secure top spot on Friday night with victory over Waikato, who snuck past Manawatu on Thursday night.

Bay of Plenty, who eased by Southland on Saturday afternoon, must beat 10th placed Northland on Thursday night to have any chance of playing in the semifinals. The Steamers will also be banking on a Waikato loss and will most likely need Southland to upset Wellington.

The bottom seven that will make up the Championship division next year have been decided with Counties Manukau, in eighth place, trailing Southland by five points with the Stags holding the head to head tiebreaker.

Hawke's Bay and Auckland wrapped up the week's action with easy wins over North Harbour and Otago respectively, keeping Otago down the bottom of the table.

Sunday
Winning farewell for departing Magpies' captain

'Horrible' Auckland too good for Otago

Saturday
Broken leg puts Weepu out of tour

Shield safe for the season as Canterbury focus on title

Bay add to Southland's post-Shield headache

Friday
Makos beat Taniwha in Nelson

Thursday
Donald double helps sink Manawatu

This week:
Thursday - Northland v Bay of Plenty
Friday - Waikato v Canterbury
Saturday - North Harbour v Taranaki, Otago v Manawatu, Southland v Wellington
Sunday - Auckland v Tasman, Counties Manukau v Hawke's Bay

ITM Cup standings: