Preview: CountiesManukau v Otago

The two best teams in the Championship section both have NPC titles to their credit, but neither side has won one for a while and the prize of Premiership status for next season remains an added goal. Over the years this rivalry is one of the closest in the provincial game, and a lot of the matches are just as hard-fought.
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Preview:Canterbury v Auckland

Given that these two sides have dominated New Zealand rugby for the last 20 years, it's remarkable to think they haven't yet met in a final. That all changes on Saturday, when Canterbury goes looking for its fifth straight title and Auckland, co-holder of the record of four, looks to maintain its perfect record in the big game.
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Preview: Counties-Manukau v Southland

Counties may have locked up a playoff place early and Southland only at the last minute, but these two sides both have eyes on the same prize - two more wins will see them back into the top flight where they have spent a good deal of time since the NPC started back in 1976.
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Preview: Canterbury v Taranaki

Taranaki was the last team to trouble Canterbury, let alone beat them, but in the five weeks since that Ranfurly Shield match the two sides have seen their seasons go in opposite directions. If Taranaki wants to make its first top-level final, it's going to need to find form that has been MIA for some weeks now as the Cantabs are red-hot.
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Preview: Wellington v Auckland

Wellington and Auckland have a fair playoff history now, with Auckland generally getting the better of it. That's something Wellington will want to change this Saturday when they host the blue-and-whites, who took out the round-robin match 43-30 a month ago in Auckland.
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Preview: Otago v Tasman

Tasman goes into its first-ever semi with burrs under its saddle -two horrible performances, one last week against North Harbour and the other the last time these two teams met -to drive the side on. Otago has not played a final for seven years, which will be spur enough for a proud old union and its exciting young players.
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Preview: Wellington v Taranaki

For Taranaki to get a home semi, they will need to do something no other Taranaki team has ever done - win a championship match at Wellington. They will also need to score four tries, while a win by Wellington will be good enough to have them back home in a week's time.
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Preview: Waikato v Hawke's Bay (RS)

Hawke's Bay need history to repeat if they want to stay in the Premiership for next year; in 1966 the Magpies nicked the Ranfurly Shield from Hamilton to start a fine reign, and not much less will do this time.
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Preview: Tasman v North Harbour

The country-s two youngest unions get together on Saturday with two completely different agendas: Tasman wants a win to collect a home semi-final, while North Harbour wants a win to avoid an 0-fer. There's motivation for both teams in that.
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Previiew: Canterbury v BOP

Canterbury goes into this match knowing that a bonus point win will, regardless of any other results, ensure they finish first in the round-robin. By kickoff Bay of Plenty will know whether they're safe in the Premiership for another year of they have to find a way to beat a hot Canterbury side to survive.
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Preview: Northland v Counties Manukau

Northland and Counties both like to play a fast-paced, attack-from-anywhere game that can fire up in spectacular style and occasionally implodes in a mess of handling errors and mistakes. Northland, however, has a lot more to lose this week-a place in the playoffs is theirs to win if they can.
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Preview: Southland v Manawatu

Both teams have everything to play for on Friday, as the winner will move into the top four and it will be up to Northland to dislodge them by beating Counties on Saturday. After disappointing seasons, getting into the playoffs at the 11th hour would be an achievement for either side.
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Preview: Otago v Auckland

The first recognised provincial match ever played in this country was between teams representing combined clubs of Otago and Auckland, back in 1875. This year's edition of the ancient rivalry will focus on getting the best possible playoff position, since both teams are already confirmed in their respective semi-finals.
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Preview: Hawke'sBay v Canterbury

There are easier ways for a team to get itself out of a hole than by playing a Canterbury side that has rattled up three consecutive half-centuries, but Hawke's Bay has the unenviable task of trying to find enough competition points to salvage its season against the red-hot Cantabs.
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Preview: Counties-Manukau v Tasman

Both teams would have a lot to gain from winning this match; a victory here would confirm Counties at home for the playoffs while a Tasman win would ensure the Makos will be in action again in two weeks' time.
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Preview: Southland v Taranaki

Last year Taranaki took the Ranfurly Shield off Southland in a tough game; this year both teams come into the match having received thorough hidings in their most recent matches. With the playoffs looming, somebody has to get things sorted by 2.35pm Sunday.
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Preview: NorthHarbour v Auckland

Not that long ago the Battle of the Bridge was one of the big games on the provincial calendar, but with North Harbour falling on hard times that's not so at the moment. But it remains an important game for Auckland, who really need to win and win well if they want a home semi.
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Preview: CountiesManukau v Waikato

There will be more than just bragging rights at stake in this border battle on Saturday; Counties-Manukau will be eager to show the new Ranfurly Shield holders that their northern neighbour can foot it with any of the big boys.
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Preview: Manawatu v Hawke's Bay

A lot more than the KR Tremain Memorial Trophy will be on the line for these two sides at Palmerston North this weekend, as Hawke's Bay desperately needs a win to kick clear of the relegation zone and it really is Last Chance Saloon for Manawatu.
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Preview: Otago v Wellington

Otago and Wellington have played some entertaining matches down the years, and others that were just plain tough. This time both teams will look to make their playoff places more advantageous – both were already secure before the round started, but home field comes into the reckoning now.
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Preview: Northland v Canterbury

Northland faces a big task in this match, as it squares off against a Canterbury team that has run up 136 points in its last two outings -but if Northland wants to make significant progress towards the Championship playoffs, a good performance here is very important.
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Preview: Tasman v Bay of Plenty

This is the fifth time in six meetings that Bay of Plenty has had to travel to Tasman, and the last time was not a pleasant experience for the Steamers as Tom Marshall booted them off the park. With so much riding on this match for both sides, neither would like to be on the thin end of a fat penalty count on Thursday night.
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Preview: Taranaki v Waikato

Taranaki and Waikato have played seven previous Shield matches and the Log has changed hands once, back in 1996. But Taranaki will be dead keen to do the business one more time and become the first union outside of Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato to have it in their trophy cabinet for consecutive summers since Manawatu turned the trick in 1977.
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Preview: Manawatu v Otago

With both of these sides well in the running for a Championship playoff spot, this match takes on extra significance and the winner will be looking good for some extra action in a couple of weeks.
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Preview: Canterbury v Southland

Canterbury and Southland have almost invariably been playing for the Ranfurly Shield in recent seasons -it changed hands in each of the most recent three meetings -but this game doesn't have that added spur. Instead it's all about the four points and consolidating playoff runs.
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