Rugby: Week eight ITM Cup wrap

Charlie Faumuina in action for Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

Southland remain top of the ITM Cup for another week but the Stags face a tough contest on Thursday with the Ranfurly Shield on the line.

No.1 will face No.2 when Southland host Auckland with the log of wood on the line, both sides going into the game after scrappy wins in round eight.

Southland slipped past Waikato on Thursday night, while Auckland needed a late run to hold off Manawatu on Friday night.

Taranaki and Canterbury round out the top four after the amber and blacks recorded a famous win over the Cantabs.

In other matches Wellington were less than convincing in their win against Hawke's Bay, Harbour recorded their third win beating Tasman on Saturday, Northland won their first match in Dunedin since 1979 while Bay of Plenty kept their semifinal hopes alive with a win over Counties Manukau on Sunday.

Looking ahead to week nine the highly anticipated Shield clash on Thursday is followed by Bay of Plenty hosting Otago on Friday night.

Canterbury host old foes Wellington in the early game on Saturday followed by Hawke's Bay v Taranaki and Waikato v Tasman.

North Harbour will be desperate for another win against Manawatu on Sunday, followed by Counties Manukau hosting Northland.


Sunday

Quick taps from Bay deny Counties


Northland end 31 year southern drought

Saturday

Harbour hold on in desperate dance

Taranaki birthday boys become real men

Lions claw way to crucial win

Friday

Aucklanders hold their nerve

Thursday

Southland grind down Waikato


Standings after week eight: