NPC quarter-finalists found: Canterbury's rise, wooden spoon for Wellington
The NPC rugby season has reached its quarter-final stage, with Canterbury rising to the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Northland has seen a significant turnaround in performance, and Counties Manukau secured the Ranfurly Shield for the summer.
Why it matters
This provides a summary of the competitive landscape in New Zealand's domestic rugby tournament, which is a major sporting event in the region.
The NPC continues to be Canterbury's world.
After a slow start to the season which saw them relinquish the Ranfurly Shield, the defending champions have clicked at the perfect time, rising to the top of the competition after ten regular season rounds.
Chay Fihaki and Dallas McLeod consistently delivered for the red and black machine, who rumble into the playoffs on the back of five straight wins, in stark contrast to Hawke's Bay.
The Magpies set the pace across the opening six rounds, as they took maximum points to sit comfortably clear in top spot.
A horror run of four straight losses saw them slip from first to sixth, and their chances of an inaugural title became increasingly slimmer after looking destined for a home playoff.
Despite the team's dip in form, Folau Fakatava has been irrepressible for the Magpies at halfback, strengthening his case for an All Blacks recall.
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