Tight matches in opening round of NPC

Last year's NPC finalists Waikato were beaten 26 -20 by the visiting Taranaki team in Hamilton today. They turned the match around after Taranaki led 14-11 at halftime.

In other opening round NPC matches, Canterbury pipped Northland 30 -26 in Whangarei.

Northland scored four tries to Canterbury's two but fullback Ben Blair got his side out of trouble with six penalties and a conversion.

Wellington beat Southland 34-28 at home, with All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Rodney So'oialo both scoring tries.

In the second division, North Otago have beaten Counties-Manukau 25 -22, Hawke's Bay beat East Coast 27-20, Nelson Bays have scrapped home 14 -10 over Manawatu and Thames Valley thrashed Mid-Canterbury 35-7.