Live updates from all of today's rugby and league action with two ITM Cup clashes and three NRL encounters.

Canterbury ended a difficult week on a positive note by beating ITM Cup rugby rivals Manawatu 42-15 in Christchurch today.

Northland have beaten Otago 20-17 in a pulsating round five ITM Cup match at Toll Stadium, Whangarei.

Waikato notched their second win of the ITM Cup when they beat Tasman 33-6 in Hamilton tonight.

Southland successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield with a gutsy win in the wet to beat Counties Manukau 22-14 at Rugby Park in Invercargill.

Hawke's Bay ended Otago's unbeaten start to the ITM Cup and emerge with a 27-13 victory at McLean Park.

nzherald brings you live scoring of today's ITM Cup and NRL matches.

Manawatu halfback Aaron Smith was pivotal as Northland were repulsed in an ITM Cup Championship match at Palmerston North yesterday.

The Steamers have been careful to build some depth in their squad - something they will need if they continue to play with the pace and intensity they discovered last night.

For the second time in two years, an underdog Southland side travelled up to Christchurch and against all expectations prised away the Ranfurly Shield.

Auckland have beaten Wellington 21-17 in their round three ITM Cup match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Bay of Plenty outflanked North Harbour to clinch a 38-17 victory over North Harbour in Mt Maunganui.

Southland lifted the Ranfurly Shield with 22-19 victory ending Canterbury's tenure at just two matches.

Put Auckland's early woes down to a sloppy mental side of the game rather than anything to do with their playing ability, according to coach Mark Anscombe.