This week could define the season for Counties Manukau.

All Blacks prop Ben Franks has revealed he thought Hawke's Bay had lost the Ranfurly Shield challenge when the final whistle sounded in Dunedin yesterday.

Take a quick look at the ITM Cup ladder and you'd think Auckland had made a convincing start to the season.

Counties Manukau's foray into the premiership division was going to be tough enough anyway.

Canterbury were said to be preparing for a backlash from a Waikato team on the rebound from losing the Ranfurly Shield; instead the Mooloo men ran into a Colin Slade-inspired ambush tonight.

Campbell BurnesIn a game full of niggle and characteristic Crusaders cousins' intensity, Canterbury eventually subdued the Tasman Makos at a sunny, but windswept Landsdowne Park in Blenheim.

They may be neighbours but geographical proximity was the only thing Auckland had in common with North Harbour after easing to a 27-20 victory at Eden Park today.

Counties coach Tana Umaga is annoyed at the Crusaders for not acting on Jimmy Tupou's wrist injury.

Victor Vito isn't going anywhere. After being axed from the All Blacks last weekend the Wellington loose forward said he won't head overseas.

East Coast blindside flanker Brent Ingram yesterday became the first Coast player to score a try in a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato at Ruatoria.

New Zealand sevens representative Kurt Baker stands to benefit most from the decision to suspend Zac Guildford from the Crusaders for the Super Rugby season.