Canterbury 38
Counties 23
The common assumption was that Counties had virtually conceded this match against perennial competition favourites Canterbury because of their looming Ranfurly Shield defence against Southland.
Coach Tana Umaga had named a second-string side in order to save his big guns for the crunch match at Pukekohe on Friday night. They have already qualified for the play-offs.
What occurred almost turned that logic on its head. Counties dominated the first half, leading 13-9 at the break thanks to Ki Anufe's assured goalkicking and a try to second-five Tyrone Lefau and it just got better for them at the start of the second.
Flanker Sean Reidy skipped through another missed tackle to put his side further ahead thanks to Ki Anufe's sideline conversion and at 23-9 it was all but over for Canterbury and one of the biggest upsets of the season was brewing.