Otago have upset Waikato 23-19 to take domestic rugby’s Ranfurly Shield off the hosts in their final defence of the season.
It’s the first time Otago have held the Shield since 2013.
Despite the loss Waikato remain first in the second tier Championship and will host Northland in next week’s semi-finals, with second placed Otago to host Hawkes Bay.
Canterbury climbed to second in the Premiership with a 19-14 victory over Counties Manukau, with the result of today’s clash between Auckland and North Harbour to determine if they’ll play Auckland or Tasman in the semi-finals.
In the women’s Farah Palmer Cup rugby semi-finals, Canterbury beat Manawatu 31-12 to secure a home premiership final next week.
They’ll host Counties-Manukau, who upset second-ranked Waikato 24-14 in Hamilton this afternoon.
In the second tier championship semi-finals, Wellington downed North Harbour 33 to 7 to earn a home final against Otago after they dismissed Hawke’s Bay 34-10 in Dunedin.
And in a relegation play-off, Auckland were edged 25-22 by Bay of Plenty and will play next season in the championship division.
