Farah Palmer Cup: Round 6 - Otago and Northland confirmed for Championship Final

In the Premiership, Waikato, Canterbury, and Manawatū have secured semi-final spots, with the final berth up for grabs in a winner-takes-all clash between Counties Manukau Heat and Auckland Storm next weekend.

Waikato retained the JJ Stewart Trophy with a late 80th-minute try by winger Lela Ieremia, her second of the match, securing a tight 15–10 win over a stubborn Manawatū. In a heavy downpour at Memorial Park, the match became a forward slog, with Waikato’s hooker Grace Houpapa-Barrett and locks Leomie Kloppers and Logan Hauraki imposing themselves at every breakdown.

Chiefs Manawa blindside Leata Puni-Lio made decisive meters, while second-five Rina Paraone battled in the midfield. Manawatū were valiant, with Ngano Tavake and loan player Waimarie Rauhina crossing for tries. Openside Elinor-Plum-King and No. 8 Rangimarie Sturmey were tireless, but the Cyclones couldn’t finish in the red zone. The match underlined Waikato’s composure in tight encounters, winning by a converted try margin for the third time this season.

WAIKATO: 15

TRIES: 2 (Lela Ieremia 2′, 80′)

CONS: 1 (Kaea Nepia 2)

PEN: 1 (Kaea Nepia)

MANAWATŪ: 10

TRIES: 2 (Ngano Tavake 12′, Waimarie Rauhina 38′)

Northland punched their ticket to the Championship Final with a second consecutive win over Wellington Pride. Bailey-Rae Edwards and prop Krystal Murray put the Kauri ahead early, with the Pride responding through Harmony Kautai and veteran lock Sanita Levave to level at 12-all at halftime.

The second half saw Northland regain momentum, with replacement back Timara Leaf, blindside Terai Elia, and lock Lily Murray-Wihongi all dotting down to give the hosts a 29–17 advantage. Late efforts from Lavinia Lea and the Pride couldn’t close the gap, highlighting Northland’s strength up front and defensive resolve.

TRIES: 5 (Bailey-Rae Edwards 5′, Krystal Murray 18′, Timara Leaf 55′, Terai Elia 62′, Lily Murray-Wihongi 70′)

CONS: 2 (Murray 5′, Nankivell 55′)

TRIES: 4 (Harmony Kautai 15′, Sanita Levave 30′, Keiana Roffey 47′, Lavinia Lea 75′)

CONS: 1 (Arene Landon-Lane 47′)

The Spirit’s fluid, attacking style proved too much for North Harbour. Abigail Paton and flanker Sarah Jones gave Otago a 14–0 lead, but two yellow cards allowed the Hibiscus to score through prop Manutala’aho Huni-Po’ese, narrowing the gap to 14–7 at halftime.

Second-half tries from wing Jamie Church, centre Naomi Sopoaga, and No. 8 Greer Muir secured the win, with North Harbour’s Ellie Harrison and fullback Ella Henderson keeping them in touch but unable to close the deficit. Discipline and fitness were key in Otago’s performance.

TRIES: 5 (Abigail Paton 20′, Sarah Jones 28′, Jamie Church 50′, Naomi Sopoaga 57′, Greer Muir 70′)

CONS: 3 (Georgia Cormick 2, Jones 20′)

TRIES: 4 (Ellie Harrison 34′, 68′, Manutala’aho Huni-Po’ese 35′, Ella Henderson 55′)

CONS: 1 (Henderson 68′)

Bay of Plenty dominated Hawke’s Bay to cement their status as Premiership contenders. Three early tries from Te Urupounamu McGarvey, Te Kihora Kuka, and hooker Luka Connor set the tone, with Kiki Tahere scoring the bonus-point try before halftime. In the second half, Manawa Rogers, Dani Irihei (2), and Sela Moata'ane added further scores, while Hawke’s Bay’s Hinemoa Hubbard crossed twice, but it was too little, too late.

TRIES: 10 (Manawa Rogers 50′, Dani Irihei 60′, 70′, Te Urupounamu McGarvey 10′, Luka Connor 15′, Te Kihora Kuka 18′, Kiki Tahere 22′, Ora Williams 35′, Jordyn Tihore 65′, Sela Moata'ane 72′)

CONS: 6 (Hope Parata-Kingi 5, Kokako Raki 22′)

TRIES: 3 (Hinemoa Hubbard 12′, 68′, Makayla Cameron 55′)

CONS: 1 (Cassie Siataga 55′)

Canterbury overcame a 12-point deficit to likely secure a home Premiership semi-final. Auckland’s early tries from Eloise Blackwell, Levonah Motuliki, and Hollyrae Mete-Renata were offset by Canterbury’s second-five Lialanie Muamua, who bulldozed through defenders for a corner try.

The second half belonged to Canterbury, as rolling mauls produced scores for Louise Blyde and Amy Milnes, alongside a penalty try, while hooker Nicole Purdom and the loose forwards dominated the breakdown. Auckland’s comeback attempt fell short, leaving Canterbury in control of their semi-final destiny.

TRIES: 5 (Lialanie Muamua 38′, 80′, Penalty Try 50′, Louise Blyde 60′, Amy Milnes 68′)

TRIES: 3 (Eloise Blackwell 5′, Levonah Motuliki 15′, Hollyrae Mete-Renata 25′)

CONS: 2 (Emacyn Ieremia 2)