Rugby: Waikato closer to relegation after last-gasp loss to North Harbour

Ben Volavola of North Harbour kicked a game-winning penalty. Photo / Getty

Waikato must digest an unwanted NPC record and the prospect of relegation from the Premiership division following a last-gasp loss to North Harbour in Hamilton.

Ben Volavola landed a penalty after fulltime to hand the third-placed visitors a 13-11 win, leaving them in contention to host a semi-final.

Waikato remain last, with a sixth successive loss the worst in the union's history since the provincial competition began in 1976.

A loss or draw against Bay of Plenty in Tauranga next week will see the Mooloo men relegated to the second tier for the first time since 1986.

If they win, they'll need sixth-placed Auckland to lose to Canterbury to remain in the top division.

Waikato dominated much of a dour, forward-based encounter after Harbour suffered the setback of losing midfield back Shaun Treeby to a serious leg injury in the opening exchanges.

Up 6-3 at halftime, Waikato pushed eight points clear when Matthew Lansdowne towed ahead and scored in the tackle of Harbour fullback Matt Duffie.

However, Waikato winger Sevu Reece followed up and delivered a diving shoulder to the prone Duffie, earning himself a yellow card.

The try stood but Waikato's numbers disadvantage proved costly minutes later when Duffie scored a spectacular, diving try in the right corner.

Reserve back Ben Volavola converted from out wide but missed two penalties in the last 10 minutes which would have put his team ahead.

Fijian international Volavola put his hand up for another crack from a more difficult position after the final whistle sounded.

He made no mistake from 42m out on a wide angle to hand North Harbour a seventh win.

They are guaranteed to be ranked at least third for the semi-finals but a top-two spot is possible if they beat Taranaki in their last game next week.

- AAP