2018 Mitre 10 Cup

2018 Mitre 10 Cup season
2018 Mitre 10 Cup season
Countries	New Zealand
Date	16 August – 27 October 2018
Champions	Auckland
Runners-up	Canterbury
Promoted	Waikato
Relegated	Taranaki
Matches played	76
Tries scored	590 ; (average 7.8 per match)
Top point scorer	Fletcher Smith (Waikato); 130 points
Top try scorer	Sevu Reece (Waikato); 14 tries
Official website
	mitre10cup.co.nz
	← 2017 2019 →

The 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season is the 13th season of New Zealand's provincial rugby union competition since it became a 14 team tournament in 2006. The regular season begins on August 16, with North Harbour host a game against their neighbors, Northland. It involves the top fourteen rugby unions of New Zealand. For sponsorship reasons, the competition is known as the Mitre 10 Cup and it is the third season under the lead sponsor. The winner of the Championship will be promoted to the Premiership, while Taranaki, who placed last in the Premiership, will be relegated.

Format

The Mitre 10 Cup standings are sorted by a competition points system. Four points are awarded to the winning team, a draw equals to two points, whilst a loss amounts to zero points. Unions can also win their side a respectable bonus point. To receive a bonus point, they must score four tries or more or lose by seven or fewer points or less.^[1] Each team is placed on their total points received. If necessary of a tiebreaker, when two or more teams finish on equal points, the union who defeated the other in a head-to-head gets placed higher. In case of a draw between them, the side with the biggest points deferential margin will get rights to be ranked above. If they are tied on points difference, it is then decided by a highest scored try count or a coin toss.^[2] This seeding format has been implemented since the beginning of the 2006 competition.

The competition included a promotion-relegation process with the winner of the Championship receiving automatic promotion to the Premiership replacing the seventh-placed team in the Premiership which is relegated to the Championship for the following year. The regular season consisted of two types of matches. The internal division matches are when each team played the other six unions in their division once, home or away. The cross-division matches are when each team played four teams from the other division, thus missing out on three teams, each from the opposite division. Each union played home or away games against teams from the other division, making a total of ten competition games for each union.^[3] The finals format allows the top four teams from each division move on to the semi-finals. The top two division winners, based on table points, received a home semi-final. In the first round of the finals, the semi-finals, the second division winner hosted the third division winner, and the first division winner hosted the fourth division winner. The final was hosted by the top remaining seed.^[4]

Standings

Premiership Division
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TB	LB	PTS
1	Auckland	10	9	0	1	343	209	+134	9	1	46
2	Tasman	10	9	0	1	319	195	+124	7	0	43
3	Canterbury	10	8	0	2	325	212	+113	8	1	41
4	Wellington	10	6	0	4	354	202	+152	7	3	34

5	North Harbour	10	6	0	4	317	297	+20	6	0	30
6	Counties Manukau	10	2	0	8	218	275	–57	3	6	17

7	Taranaki	10	2	0	8	203	335	–132	3	2	13

Championship Division
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TB	LB	PTS
1	Waikato	10	6	0	4	368	243	+125	7	3	34
2	RS – Otago	10	6	0	4	306	302	+4	4	1	29
3	Hawke's Bay	10	5	0	5	296	321	–25	7	1	28
4	Northland	10	4	0	6	276	306	–30	5	3	24

5	Bay of Plenty	10	4	0	6	253	292	–39	3	2	21
6	Manawatu	10	3	0	7	202	357	–155	2	0	14
7	Southland	10	0	0	10	168	402	–234	3	1	4

Standings progression

Premiership
Team	W1	W2	W3	W4	W5	W6	W7	W8	W9
Auckland	4 (3rd)	9 (2nd)	14 (2nd)	19 (1st)	24 (1st)	29 (1st)	31 (3rd)	36 (3rd)	46 (1st)
Canterbury	0 (6th)	5 (6th)	10 (4th)	15 (3rd)	22 (2nd)	27 (3rd)	32 (2nd)	37 (2nd)	41 (3rd)
Counties Manukau	1 (5th)	2 (7th)	8 (7th)	13 (5th)	13 (6th)	14 (6th)	15 (6th)	16 (6th)	17 (6th)
North Harbour	4 (4th)	9 (3rd)	9 (6th)	9 (7th)	14 (5th)	19 (5th)	24 (5th)	29 (5th)	30 (5th)
Taranaki	0 (7th)	5 (5th)	10 (5th)	10 (6th)	10 (7th)	12 (7th)	13 (7th)	13 (7th)	13 (7th)
Tasman	4 (2nd)	9 (1st)	14 (1st)	14 (4th)	19 (4th)	28 (2nd)	33 (1st)	38 (1st)	43 (2nd)
Wellington	5 (1st)	6 (4th)	11 (3rd)	17 (2nd)	22 (3rd)	27 (4th)	28 (4th)	29 (4th)	34 (4th)
Championship
Team	W1	W2	W3	W4	W5	W6	W7	W8	W9
Bay of Plenty	4 (3rd)	8 (2nd)	8 (2nd)	9 (4th)	9 (5th)	9 (5th)	10 (5th)	16 (5th)	21 (5th)
Hawke's Bay	5 (1st)	10 (1st)	12 (1st)	17 (1st)	17 (2nd)	18 (2nd)	23 (2nd)	28 (2nd)	28 (3rd)
Manawatu	5 (2nd)	5 (3rd)	5 (5th)	5 (6th)	5 (6th)	5 (6th)	9 (6th)	9 (6th)	14 (6th)
Northland	1 (4th)	1 (5th)	5 (4th)	6 (5th)	11 (4th)	16 (3rd)	21 (3rd)	22 (4th)	24 (4th)
Otago	0 (6th)	1 (6th)	6 (3rd)	10 (3rd)	15 (3rd)	15 (4th)	20 (4th)	25 (3rd)	29 (2nd)
Southland	0 (7th)	1 (7th)	1 (7th)	2 (7th)	2 (7th)	2 (7th)	2 (7th)	3 (7th)	4 (7th)
Waikato	1 (5th)	3 (4th)	3 (6th)	13 (2nd)	18 (1st)	23 (1st)	28 (1st)	33 (1st)	34 (1st)
The table above shows a team's progression throughout the season. For each week, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall division log position in brackets.
Key:	win	draw	loss	dual

Regular season

The 2018 Mitre 10 Cup plays across nine weeks with every team playing one Wednesday night fixture in a double-up round where they play twice that week. The competition starts on Thursday August 16, with North Harbour taking on Northland at QBE Stadium. The opening round will see a repeat of the Premiership final with Tasman against current champions Canterbury.^[5]

Week 1

	16 August 2018	North Harbour	21–20	Northland	Template:Rus QBE Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Dillon Hunt 32' Tevita Li 50' Con: Bryn Gatland (0/1) Bryn Hall (1/1) 51' Pen: Bryn Gatland (3/4) 15', 25', 75'	Report	Try: Tom Robinson 7' Jono Kitto 59' Con: Jack Debreczeni (2/2) 8', 60' Pen: Jack Debreczeni (2/3) 41', 67' Cards: Tom Robinson 57' to 67'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	17 August 2018	Tasman	25–17	Canterbury	Template:Rus Lansdowne Park
	19:35 NZST	Try: Levi Aumua 18' Quinten Strange 42' Solomon Alaimalo 48' Con: Mitchell Hunt (2/3) 19', 49' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 5', 65' Cards: Blair Prinsep 70'	Report	Try: Greg Pleasants-Tate 71', 77' Con: Brett Cameron (2/2) 72', 78' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/2) 40'	Referee: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

	18 August 2018	Manawatu	24–19	Waikato	Template:Rus Central Energy Trust Arena
	14:35 NZST	Try: Junior Laloifi 37', 75' Faalelei Sione 49' Rob Thompson 56' Con: Jade Te Rure (1/2) 50' Sam Malcolm (1/2) 57' Pen: Sam Malcolm (0/1)	Report	Try: Sevu Reece 2' Samisoni Taukei'aho 8' Declan O'Donnell 60' Con: Fletcher Smith (2/3) 3', 61'	Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	18 August 2018	Auckland	23–19	Counties Manukau	Template:Rus Eden Park
	17:05 NZST	Try: Salesi Rayasi 11' Blake Gibson 27' Melani Nanai 36' Con: Harry Plummer (1/3) 28' Pen: Harry Plummer (2/4) 31', 59'	Report	Try: Kalolo Tuiloma 3' Sam Henwood 18' Howard Sililoto 52' Con: Latiume Fosita (2/3) 4', 19'	Attendance: 10,700^[6] Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

	18 August 2018	Bay of Plenty	30–10	Taranaki	Template:Rus Rotorua International Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Liam Polwart 12' Kane Leaupepe 29' Aaron Carroll 53' Con: Mike Delany (3/3) 13', 30', 54' Pen: Mike Delany (3/3) 64', 74', 78'	Report	Try: Seta Tamanivalu 15' Con: Beaudein Waaka (1/1) 16' Pen: Beaudein Waaka (1/2) 20'	Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

	19 August 2018	Wellington	34–16	Otago	Template:Rus Westpac Stadium
	14:05 NZST	Try: Wes Goosen 2', 6' Malo Tuitama 58', 76' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (4/4) 3', 7', 59', 77' Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/2) 10', 47'	Report	Try: Kurt Hammer 62' Con: Sio Tomkinson (1/1) 63' Pen: Finn Hart-Strawbridge (3/3) 23', 28', 45'	Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

	19 August 2018	Southland	10–31	Hawke's Bay	Rugby Park, Invercargill
	16:35 NZST	Try: Isaac Te Tamaki 24' Con: James Wilson (1/1) 25' Pen: James Wilson (1/1) 31'	Report	Try: Mark Braidwood 12' Siosiua Kaifa 20' Ash Dixon 39', 47' Con: Tiaan Falcon (4/4) 13', 21', 40', 48' Pen: Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 68' Cards: Michael Allardice 56' to 66' Gareth Evans 60' to 70'	Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)

Week 2

	23 August 2018	Counties Manukau	17–22	Bay of Plenty	Template:Rus Navigation Homes Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Joe Royal 38' Sione Molia 43' Sam Henwood 68' Con: Latiume Fosita (1/3) 44'	Report	Try: Chase Tiatia 25', 61' Richard Judd 54' Con: Mike Delany (2/3) 26', 55' Pen: Mike Delany (1/2) 40'	Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

	24 August 2018	Otago	25–31	Hawke's Bay	Template:Rus Forsyth Barr Stadium
	17:45 NZST	Try: Josh Ioane 20' Naulia Dawai 24' Vilimoni Koroi 73' Con: Josh Ioane (2/3) 21', 24' Pen: Josh Ioane (2/2) 36', 57' Cards: Josh Timu 48' to 58'	Report	Try: Siosiua Kaifa 15' Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 28' Ben May 50' Mason Emerson 64' Brad Weber 67' Con: Tiaan Falcon (3/5) 15', 28', 68'	Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)

	24 August 2018	RS – Taranaki	41–21	Manawatu	Template:Rus Yarrow Stadium
	19:45 NZST	Try: Manasa Mataele 6' Beaudein Waaka 19' Teihorangi Walden 32' Toa Halafihi 39' Daniel Waite 48' Con: Beaudein Waaka (5/5) 7', 20', 33', 40', 49' Pen: Beaudein Waaka (2/2) 24', 45'	Report	Try: Junior Laloifi 14' Nick Crosswell 27' Rob Thompson 68' Con: Sam Malcolm (2/2) 15', 28' Jade Te Rure (1/1) 69'	Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	25 August 2018	Canterbury	27–20	Wellington	Template:Rus AMI Stadium
	14:05 NZST	Try: Braydon Ennor 22' Reed Prinsep 27' Mitchell Drummond 40' Caleb Makene 59' Con: Brett Cameron (2/4) 28', 40' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/2) 15'	Report	Try: Thomas Umaga-Jensen 17' James O'Reilly 48' Du'Plessis Kirifi 62' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (1/3) 17' Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (1/1) 43'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	25 August 2018	Waikato	28–29	North Harbour	Template:Rus Waikato Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Jordan Manihera 39' Declan O'Donnell 50' Quinn Tupaea 53' Tyler Campbell 80' Con: Fletcher Smith (4/4) 40', 51', 54', 80' Pen: Fletcher Smith (0/1)	Report	Try: Tevita Li 19', 63' Penalty try 60' Murphy Taramai 68' Con: Bryn Gatland (2/3) 64', 69' Pen: Bryn Gatland (1/1) 32'	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

	26 August 2018	Tasman	45–24	Southland	Template:Rus Lansdowne Park
	14:05 NZST	Try: Andrew Makalio 9' Solomon Alaimalo 32' Quinten Strange 37' Will Jordan 44', 79' Ethan Blackadder 52' Sione Havili 65' Con: Tim O'Malley (4/5) 10', 38', 45', 53' Mitchell Hunt (1/2) 66'	Report	Try: Tony Lamborn 12' Flynn Thomas 29' Manaaki Selby-Rickit 72' Rory van Vugt 74' Con: James Wilson (2/4) 13', 73'	Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)

	26 August 2018	Northland	12–28	Auckland	Template:Rus Toll Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Blake Hohaia 21' Rene Ranger 32' Con: Jack Debreczeni (1/2) 22' Pen: Jack Debreczeni (0/1)	Report	Try: Harry Plummer 15' Melani Nanai 43', 48' Salesi Rayasi 53' Con: Harry Plummer (4/4) 17', 44', 49', 54'	Referee: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

Week 3

	29 August 2018	Counties Manukau	19–26	Taranaki	Template:Rus Navigation Homes Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Kalolo Tuiloma 12' Tevita Nabura 31' Toni Pulu 77' Con: Latiume Fosita (1/2) 13' Luteru Laulala (1/1) 77'	Report	Try: Lachlan Boshier 4' Beaudein Waaka 59', 78' Con: Beaudein Waaka (1/3) 79' Pen: Beaudein Waaka (3/3) 36', 48', 55'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	30 August 2018	Auckland	35–17	Waikato	Template:Rus Eden Park
	19:35 NZST	Try: Jordan Trainor 10', 61' Robbie Abel 39', 41' Salesi Rayasi 67' Con: Harry Plummer (1/4) 41' Jacob Umaga (1/1) 67' Pen: Harry Plummer (2/2) 20', 44'	Report	Try: Mosese Dawai 14' Samisoni Taukei'aho 71' Kylem O'Donnell 78' Con: Fletcher Smith (1/3) 14'	Attendance: 1,900^[7] Referee: James Munro (New Zealand)

	31 August 2018	Wellington	52–7	Southland	Template:Rus Westpac Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Thomas Umaga-Jensen 5' Asafo Aumua 14' Ben Lam 23', 39', 57' Tolu Fahamokioa 29' James Blackwell 33' Kaliopasi Uluilakepa 80' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (5/6) 6', 25', 29', 34', 40' TJ Va'a (1/2) 80'	Report	Try: Bill Fukofuka 69' Con: James Wilson (1/1) 70'	Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)

	1 September 2018	Bay of Plenty	19–31	Canterbury	Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
	14:35 NZST	Try: Chase Tiatia 19' Tyler Ardron 26' Terrence Hepetema 45' Con: Mike Delany (2/3) 20', 46' Pen: Mike Delany (0/1)	Report	Try: Josh McKay 7', 60' Daniel Lienert-Brown 29' Penalty try 63' Con: Brett Cameron (3/3) 8', 30', 61' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/1) 69'	Referee: Michael Winter (New Zealand)

	1 September 2018	Manawatu	17–50	Otago	Template:Rus Central Energy Trust Arena
	17:05 NZST	Try: Rob Thompson 14' Junior Laloifi 17' Faalelei Sione 31' Con: Jade Te Rure (1/2) 15' Sam Malcolm (0/1)	Report	Try: Dylan Nel 10' Naulia Dawai 37' Michael Collins 46' Matt Whaanga 63' Donald Brighouse 65' Jona Nareki 73' Melani Matavao 80' Con: Josh Ioane (6/7) 11', 38', 64', 66', 74', 80' Pen: Josh Ioane (1/1) 70'	Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

	1 September 2018	North Harbour	20–32	Tasman	Template:Rus QBE Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti 20' Matt Duffie 45' Con: Bryn Gatland (2/2) 21', 46' Pen: Bryn Gatland (2/2) 2', 40' Cards: Chris Eves 54' to 64'	Report	Try: Tima Fainga'anuku 14' Will Jordan 22' Shannon Frizell 29' Finlay Christie 69' Con: Mitchell Hunt (3/4) 15', 23', 70' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 6', 55'	Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

	2 September 2018	Hawke's Bay	25–29	Counties Manukau	Template:Rus McLean Park
	14:05 NZST	Try: Jonah Lowe 23', 48' Siosiua Kaifa 38' Folau Fakatava 60' Con: Tiaan Falcon (1/4) 61' Pen: Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 74'	Report	Try: Tevita Nabura 20' Daniel Hyatt 45' Joe Royal 53' Matiaha Martin 76' Con: Latiume Fosita (3/4) 21', 54', 77' Pen: Latiume Fosita (1/2) 72'	Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	2 September 2018	Northland	18–17	Taranaki	Template:Rus Toll Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Tom Robinson 34' Tamati Tua 56' Con: Mathew Wright (1/2) 35' Pen: Mathew Wright (2/3) 10', 80'	Report	Try: Latu Vaeno 7' Manasa Mataele 40' Con: Beaudein Waaka (2/2) 8', 40' Pen: Beaudein Waaka (1/2) 21'	Referee: Michael Lash (New Zealand)

Week 4

	5 September 2018	Waikato	43–31	Wellington	Template:Rus Waikato Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Sevu Reece 13', 20', 67' Jordan Manihera 28' Raniera Takarangi 47' Samisoni Taukei'aho 61' Con: Fletcher Smith (5/5) 14', 28', 48', 62', 68' Dwayne Sweeney (0/1) Pen: Fletcher Smith (1/1) 54' Dwayne Sweeney (0/1) Cards: Jordan Manihera 44' to 54'	Report	Try: Trent Renata 50' Isaia Walker-Leawere 58' Matt Proctor 72' Malo Tuitama 76' Losi Filipo 78' Con: Pakai Turia (1/1) 51' Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/4) 59', 77' Pen: Pakai Turia (0/1) Cards: Malo Tuitama 33' to 43' Tolu Fahamokioa 44' to 54'	Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

	6 September 2018	Canterbury	34–23	Manawatu	Template:Rus AMI Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Reed Prinsep 7' Greg Pleasants-Tate 26' Caleb Makene 44' Brett Cameron 56' Luke Romano 67' Con: Brett Cameron (3/5) 7', 56', 68' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/1) 54'	Report	Try: Liam Mitchell 22' Lifeimi Mafi 76' Con: Sam Malcolm (2/2) 22', 76' Pen: Sam Malcolm (3/3) 12', 18', 51'	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

	7 September 2018	Otago	27–23	Northland	Template:Rus Forsyth Barr Stadium
	17:45 NZST	Try: Dylan Nel 27' Jona Nareki 50' Joketani Koroi 64' Con: Josh Ioane (3/3) 28', 50', 64' Pen: Josh Ioane (2/3) 56', 76'		Try: Tamati Tua 34' Jack Debreczeni 43' Con: Jack Debreczeni (2/2) 34', 43' Pen: Jack Debreczeni (3/3) 20', 60', 69'	Referee: Nick Webster (New Zealand)

	7 September 2018	Auckland	36–10	Tasman	Template:Rus Eden Park
	19:35 NZST	Try: Patrick Tuipulotu 28', 32', 40' Melani Nanai 35' Akira Ioane 76' Con: Harry Plummer (4/5) 29', 33', 40', 77' Pen: Harry Plummer (1/3) 19'	Report	Try: Ethan Blackadder 26' Con: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 27' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 22'	Attendance: 5,350^[8] Referee: Nick Hogan (New Zealand)

	8 September 2018	Southland	26–43	Counties Manukau	Rugby Park, Invercargill
	14:05 NZST	Try: Bill Fukofuka 9' Morgan Mitchell 22' Lewis Ormond 66' Nico Costa 80' Con: James Wilson (3/4) 10', 23', 67'	Report	Try: Fotu Lokotui 26' Luteru Laulala 30' Te Aihe Toma 32' Nigel Ah Wong 47' Joe Royal 50' Cardiff Vaega 62' Con: Latiume Fosita (4/5) 27', 31', 48', 51' Luteru Laulala (1/1) 63' Pen: Luteru Laulala (1/1) 72'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	8 September 2018	Hawke's Bay	29–28	Bay of Plenty	Template:Rus McLean Park
	16:35 NZST	Try: Jonah Lowe 3' Brad Weber 48', 51' Joe Apikotoa 78' Con: Tiaan Falcon (3/4) 49', 52', 79' Pen: Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 33'	Report	Try: Richard Judd 35', 62' Mike Delany 65' Con: Mike Delany (2/3) 36', 65' Pen: Mike Delany (3/4) 18', 31', 71'	Referee: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

	9 September 2018	Wellington	35–23	North Harbour	Template:Rus Westpac Stadium
	14:05 NZST	Try: Asafo Aumua 18' Kemara Hauiti-Parapara 40' Malo Tuitama 42' Wes Goosen 70' Jackson Garden-Bachop 75' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/5) 40', 76' Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/3) 5', 30'	Report	Try: Tevita Li 23' Matt Duffie 57' Con: Bryn Gatland (2/2) 24', 58' Pen: Bryn Gatland (3/3) 2', 7', 52'	Referee: Michael Lash (New Zealand)

	9 September 2018	Taranaki	19–33	Waikato – RS	Template:Rus Yarrow Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Regan Ware 13' Manasa Mataele 44' Seta Tamanivalu 49' Con: Beaudein Waaka (2/3) 14', 50'	Report	Try: Dwayne Sweeney 2' Adam Burn 18' James Tucker 24' Samisoni Taukei'aho 34' Quinn Tupaea 37' Con: Fletcher Smith (4/5) 3', 24', 35', 38'	Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Week 5

	12 September 2018	North Harbour	21–31	Canterbury	Template:Rus QBE Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Matt Duffie 21' Shaun Stevenson 36' Sione Teu 72' Con: Bryn Gatland (3/3) 22', 37', 73' Cards: Tevita Li 55' to 65'	Report	Try: Nathan Vella 2' George Bridge 8' Reed Prinsep 48' Mitchell Dunshea 59' Con: Brett Cameron (4/4) 3', 9', 49', 60' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/1) 40' Cards: Connor Collins 65' to 75'	Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

	13 September 2018	RS – Waikato	42–22	Hawke's Bay	Template:Rus Waikato Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Dwayne Sweeney 18' Sevu Reece 28' Jordan Manihera 33' Murray Iti 60' Fletcher Smith 67' Raniera Takarangi 71' Con: Fletcher Smith (6/6) 19', 29', 34', 61', 68', 72'	Report	Try: Brad Weber 7' Tom Parsons 36' Sasa Tofilau 79' Con: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (2/2) 8', 80' Tiaan Falcon (0/1) Pen: Tiaan Falcon (1/1) 23' Cards: Pasqualle Dunn 12' to 22'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	14 September 2018	Northland	49–19	Manawatu	Template:Rus Toll Stadium
	17:45 NZST	Try: Matt Matich 16' Jordan Olsen 19' Jordan Hyland 22' Jack Debreczeni 36' Scott Gregory 40' Kara Pryor 48' Blake Hohaia 73' Con: Jack Debreczeni (4/6) 20', 23', 37', 49' Myles Thoroughgood (0/1) Pen: Jack Debreczeni (2/2) 8', 59'	Report	Try: James Tofa 4' Junior Laloifi 38' Adrian Wyrill 80' Con: Sam Malcolm (1/2) 39' Otere Black (1/1) 80' Cards: Sione Asi 69'	Referee: Michael Winter (New Zealand)

	14 September 2018	Tasman	53–17	Taranaki	Template:Rus Trafalgar Park
	19:45 NZST	Try: Tyrel Lomax 19' Andrew Makalio 34', 38' David Havili 51' Mitchell Hunt 62' Will Jordan 71' Solomon Alaimalo 74' Con: Mitchell Hunt (5/5) 20', 35', 39', 52', 63' Tim O'Malley (1/2) 75' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/4) 5', 42'	Report	Try: Ciarahn Matoe 59' Kane Thompson 67' Con: Beaudein Waaka (2/2) 60', 68' Pen: Beaudein Waaka (1/1) 23'	Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)

	15 September 2018	Counties Manukau	12–53	Wellington	Template:Rus Navigation Homes Stadium
	14:05 NZST	Try: Daniel Hyatt 47' Toni Pulu 59' Con: Latiume Fosita (1/2) 48'		Try: Isaia Walker-Leawere 11' Malo Tuitama 36' Vaea Fifita 39', 41' Billy Proctor 40' Asafo Aumua 49' James O'Reilly 69', 75' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (5/7) 37', 40', 40', 50', 70' Thomas Umaga-Jensen (0/1) Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (1/1) 18'	Referee: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

	15 September 2018	Southland	24–43	Otago	Template:Rus Rugby Park Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Morgan Mitchell 53' Manaaki Selby-Rickit 69' Isaac Te Tamaki 80' Con: James Wilson (3/3) 54', 70', 80' Pen: James Wilson (1/1) 33'	Report	Try: Mitchell Scott 15', 44', 59' Jona Nareki 17', 35' Matt Faddes 21' Jonah Aoina 75' Con: Josh Ioane (4/7) 18', 22', 45', 76'	Referee: James Munro (New Zealand)

	16 September 2018	North Harbour	32–20	Bay of Plenty	Template:Rus QBE Stadium
	14:05 NZST	Try: James Parsons 20' Bryn Hall 38' Tevita Li 63' Bryn Gatland 71' Con: Bryn Gatland (3/4) 21', 64', 72' Pen: Bryn Gatland (2/3) 17', 52'	Report	Try: Mike Delany 32' James Lay 67' Con: Mike Delany (1/1) 33' Jason Robertson (1/1) 68' Pen: Mike Delany (2/2) 2', 36'	Referee: Nick Webster (New Zealand)

	16 September 2018	Canterbury	29–34	Auckland	Template:Rus AMI Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Greg Pleasants-Tate 12' Sef Fa'agase 39' Chris King 79' Brodie McAlister 80' Con: Brett Cameron (3/4) 39', 79', 80' Pen: Brett Cameron (1/2) 26'	Report	Try: TJ Faiane 2', 9', 46' Jonathan Ruru 31' Tumua Manu 71' Con: Harry Plummer (3/5) 10', 32', 72' Pen: Harry Plummer (1/2) 16'	Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Week 6

	19 September 2018	Manawatu	19–29	Tasman	Template:Rus Central Energy Trust Arena
	19:35 NZST	Try: Sam Malcolm 12' Michael Alaalatoa 40' Michael Tagicakibau 64' Con: Sam Malcolm (1/2) 40' Otere Black (1/1) 65' Cards: Antonio Kiri Kiri 55' to 65'	Report	Try: Jamie Spowart 7' Levi Aumua 30' Will Jordan 48' Mitchell Hunt 57' Con: Tim O'Malley (2/3) 8', 31' Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 57' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 76'	Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

	20 September 2018	Northland	26–10	Southland	Template:Rus Toll Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Matt Matich 17' Sam Nock 23' Murray Douglas 26', 77' Con: Jack Debreczeni (3/4) 18', 24', 78'	Report	Try: Manaaki Selby-Rickit 65' Con: Broc Hooper (1/1) 66' Pen: James Wilson (1/1) 11'	Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

	21 September 2018	Bay of Plenty	21–54	Waikato	Template:Rus Rotorua International Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Hugh Blake 37' Bailey Simonsson 61' Kane Leaupepe 80' Con: Jason Robertson (1/1) 38' Kaleb Trask (2/2) 62', 80' Cards: Baden Wardlaw 49' to 59'	Report	Try: James Tucker 10' Samisoni Taukei'aho 23', 50' Mitch Jacobson 30' Quinn Tupaea 41', 57' Sekope Lopeti 67' Matthew Lansdown 73' Con: Fletcher Smith (7/8) 11', 24', 31', 42', 51', 58', 74'	Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

	22 September 2018	Hawke's Bay	34–51	North Harbour	Template:Rus McLean Park
	14:35 NZST	Try: Kianu Kereru-Symes 8' Jonah Lowe 33' Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 49' Brad Weber 58' Con: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (4/4) 9', 34', 50', 59' Pen: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (2/2) 5', 42'	Report	Try: James Parsons 29', 44' Matt Duffie 40' Shaun Stevenson 54' Tevita Li 61' Bryn Gatland 72' Harrison Groundwater 79' Con: Bryn Gatland (4/6) 30', 45', 55', 73' James Parsons (1/1) 80' Pen: Bryn Gatland (2/2) 12', 69'	Referee: Michael Winter (New Zealand)

	22 September 2018	Otago	25–47	Canterbury	Template:Rus Forsyth Barr Stadium
	17:05 NZST	Try: Michael Collins 17' Josh Ioane 48' Jona Nareki 78' Con: Josh Ioane (2/3) 18', 49' Pen: Sio Tomkinson (2/2) 7', 9'	Report	Try: George Bridge 2' Phil Burleigh 13' Mitchell Dunshea 29' Josh McKay 36' Caleb Makene 57' Braydon Ennor 60' Reed Prinsep 66' Con: Brett Cameron (6/7) 3', 14', 30', 58', 61', 66'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	22 September 2018	Taranaki	30–31	Auckland	Template:Rus Yarrow Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Seta Tamanivalu 23' Tom Florence 50' Mitchell Crosswell 73' Ciarahn Matoe 80' Con: Beaudein Waaka (2/3) 24', 51' Stephen Perofeta (0/1) Pen: Beaudein Waaka (2/4) 11', 38'	Report	Try: Akira Ioane 1' Tumua Manu 30' Jonathan Ruru 39' Salesi Rayasi 59', 69' Con: Harry Plummer (3/5) 31', 40', 70' Pen: Harry Plummer (0/1) Cards: Melani Nanai 72'	Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

	23 September 2018	Tasman	21–19	Counties Manukau	Template:Rus Trafalgar Park
	14:05 NZST	Try: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta 8' Wyatt Crockett 32' Will Jordan 45' Con: Mitchell Hunt (3/3) 9', 33', 46'	Report	Try: Sione Molia 55' Joe Royal 63' Tevita Nabura 78' Con: Luteru Laulala (2/3) 56', 64'	Referee: Tim Griffiths (New Zealand)

	23 September 2018	Manawatu	7–49	Wellington	Template:Rus Central Energy Trust Arena
	16:35 NZST	Try: Brice Henderson 69' Con: Sam Malcolm (1/1) 70'	Report	Try: Thomas Waldrom 6' Mateaki Kafatolu 10' Thomas Umaga-Jensen 28' Ben Lam 32', 80' James Blackwell 37' Asafo Aumua 47' Isaia Walker-Leawere 60' Peter Umaga-Jensen 79' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (0/6) Trent Renata (2/3) 61', 80'	Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

Week 7

	26 September 2018	Hawke's Bay	55–41	Northland	Template:Rus McLean Park
	19:35 NZST	Try: Gareth Evans 6' Stacey Ili 12', 35' Marino Mikaele-Tu'u 21' Pasqualle Dunn 48', 65' Ben Power 57', 63' Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 74' Con: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (3/7) 7', 22', 49' Brad Weber (2/2) 66', 75'	Report	Try: Jaycob Matiu 15' Mathew Wright 19', 29' Jordan Hyland 25' Rene Ranger 37' Con: Jack Debreczeni (5/5) 16', 20', 26', 30', 38' Pen: Jack Debreczeni (2/2) 9', 54' Cards: Kara Pryor 62' to 72'	Referee: Nick Hogan (New Zealand)

	27 September 2018	Bay of Plenty	15–17	Manawatu	Template:Rus Rotorua International Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Aaron Carroll 67' Luke Campbell 79' Con: Kaleb Trask (1/2) 80' Pen: Jason Robertson (1/1) 25' Kaleb Trask (0/1)	Report	Try: Jamie Booth 2' Sam Malcolm 33' Con: Otere Black (2/2) 3', 34' Pen: Otere Black (1/1) 55' Cards: Faalelei Sione 75'	Referee: Michael Lash (New Zealand)

	28 September 2018	Auckland	26–31	Otago	Template:Rus Eden Park
	19:35 NZST	Try: Tumua Manu 11', 27' Dalton Papalii 15' Akira Ioane 71' Con: Harry Plummer (3/4) 12', 16', 72'	Report	Try: Vilimoni Koroi 2' Jona Nareki 22' Matt Faddes 30', 48', 64' Con: Josh Ioane (3/5) 3', 49', 65' Cards: Michael Collins 5' to 15'	Attendance: 4,300^[9] Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	29 September 2018	RS – Waikato	42–11	Southland	Template:Rus Waikato Stadium
	14:35 NZST	Try: Dwayne Sweeney 12' Sevu Reece 40' Murray Iti 43' Samisoni Taukei'aho 52', 75' Toby Smith 69' Con: Fletcher Smith (6/6) 13', 40', 44', 53', 70', 76'	Report	Try: Tauasosi Tuimavave 14' Con: James Wilson (0/1) Pen: James Wilson (2/2) 10', 22'	Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)

	29 September 2018	Taranaki	26–55	North Harbour	Template:Rus Yarrow Stadium
	17:05 NZST	Try: Regan Ware 16' Manasa Mataele 35' Beaudein Waaka 63' Jesse Parete 70' Con: Beaudein Waaka (3/4) 17', 64', 71'	Report	Try: Daniel Hilton-Jones 2' Tevita Li 11', 23', 29', 50' Matt Duffie 19' Dillon Hunt 38', 58' Mark Telea 52' Con: Bryn Gatland (5/9) 3', 30', 39', 51', 59'	Referee: Tim Griffiths (New Zealand)

	29 September 2018	Wellington	22–28	Tasman	Template:Rus Westpac Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Xavier Numia 24' Galu Taufale 64' Thomas Umaga-Jensen 75' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/3) 25', 65' Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (1/1) 5'	Report	Try: Finlay Christie 14' Solomon Alaimalo 41' Jacob Norris 54' John Akau'ola-Laula 67' Con: Mitchell Hunt (1/4) 15' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 7', 40'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	30 September 2018	Canterbury	49–24	Hawke's Bay	Template:Rus AMI Stadium
	14:05 NZST	Try: Alex Hodgman 10' Braydon Ennor 25', 58' Mitchell Drummond 35' George Bridge 48' Tom Christie 61' Connor Garden-Bachop 73' Con: Brett Cameron (7/7) 11', 26', 36', 49', 59', 62', 74'	Report	Try: Sasa Tofilau 21' Michael Buckley 45' Folau Fakatava 64' Con: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (3/3) 22', 46', 65' Pen: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (1/1) 33'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	30 September 2018	Counties Manukau	20–24	Northland	Template:Rus Navigation Homes Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Sione Molia 23' Fotu Lokotui 45' Toni Pulu 57' Con: Luteru Laulala (1/3) 24' Pen: Luteru Laulala (1/1) 3'	Report	Try: Jono Kitto 19' Josh Goodhue 33' Jordan Hyland 42' Con: Jack Debreczeni (3/3) 20', 34', 43' Pen: Jack Debreczeni (1/1) 69'	Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Week 8

	3 October 2018	Otago	45–34	Bay of Plenty	Template:Rus Forsyth Barr Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Josh Ioane 16', 48' Vilimoni Koroi 36', 70' Matt Faddes 44', 61' Con: Josh Ioane (6/6) 17', 37', 45', 49', 61', 71' Pen: Josh Ioane (1/1) 42' Cards: Sione Misiloi 39' to 49' Sio Tomkinson 51' to 61'	Report	Try: Bailey Simonsson 4' Kaleb Trask 24' Penalty try 39' Tom Crozier 53' Aaron Carroll 78' Con: Kaleb Trask (1/3) 55' Reece MacDonald (1/1) 79' Pen: Kaleb Trask (1/1) 33'	Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)

	4 October 2018	Wellington	24–29	Auckland	Template:Rus Westpac Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Galu Taufale 7' Thomas Umaga-Jensen 46' Ben Lam 53' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (3/3) 8', 47', 54' Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (1/2) 17' Cards: Meteaki Kafatolu 66' to 76'	Report	Try: Tumua Manu 24' TJ Faiane 58' Salesi Rayasi 68' Jordan Trainor 70' Con: Harry Plummer (3/4) 25', 59', 70' Pen: Harry Plummer (1/1) 50'	Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)

	5 October 2018	Hawke's Bay	45–17	Manawatu	Template:Rus McLean Park
	19:35 NZST	Try: Pasqualle Dunn 23' Kianu Kereru-Symes 29' Tom Parsons 34' Mark Braidwood 46' Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 58' Jonah Lowe 62' Michael Buckley 73' Con: Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (5/7) 30', 47', 59', 63', 74'	Report	Try: Brad Tucker 2' Michael Alaalatoa 15' Con: Otere Black (2/2) 3', 16' Pen: Otere Black (1/2) 21' Cards: Hamish Northcott 79'	Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

	6 October 2018	Northland	28–71	Waikato	Template:Rus Toll Stadium
	14:35 NZST	Try: Rene Ranger 12' Renata Roberts-Te Nana 52' Sam Nock 59' Aorangi Stokes 75' Con: Jack Debreczeni (4/4) 13', 53', 60', 76'	Report	Try: Bailyn Sullivan 2', 17' Sevu Reece 20', 66' Fletcher Smith 28' Quinn Tupaea 31', 42' James Tucker 39' Raniera Takarangi 50' Penalty try 56' Pepesana Patafilo 70' Con: Fletcher Smith (7/9) 18', 29', 32', 40', 43', 51', 67' Matthew Lansdown (0/1) Cards: Mitch Jacobson 75'	Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

	6 October 2018	North Harbour	36–26	Counties Manukau	Template:Rus QBE Stadium
	17:05 NZST	Try: Harrison Groundwater 7' Penalty try 35' Daniel Hilton-Jones 42' Shaun Stevenson 47' Dillon Hunt 53' Con: Bryn Gatland (3/4) 8', 48', 54' Pen: Bryn Gatland (1/1) 13'	Report	Try: Cardiff Vaega 18' Tevita Nabura 25' Fotu Lokotui 49' Penalty try 67' Con: Latiume Fosita (2/3) 19', 50' Cards: Sikeli Nabou 33' to 43'	Referee: James Munro (New Zealand)

	6 October 2018	Canterbury	41–7	Taranaki	Template:Rus AMI Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Mitchell Drummond 12' Connor Garden-Bachop 17' Billy Harmon 30' Sam Beard 66' Ngane Punivai 71' Braydon Ennor 79' Con: Brett Cameron (4/5) 13', 18', 31', 67' James Hawkey (0/1) Pen: Brett Cameron (1/1) 37' Cards: Hugh Renton 46' to 56' Daniel Lienert-Brown 55'	Report	Try: Jayson Potroz 76' Con: Beaudein Waaka (1/1) 77' Cards: Jarrad Hoeata 5'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	7 October 2018	Southland	22–26	Bay of Plenty	Template:Rus Rugby Park Stadium
	14:05 NZST	Try: Lewis Ormond 14' Morgan Mitchell 34' Isaac Te Tamaki 57' Con: James Wilson (2/3) 35', 58' Pen: James Wilson (1/1) 68' Cards: Ben Fotheringham 78'	Report	Try: Bailey Simonsson 4' Tom Crozier 11' Fa'asiu Fuatai 21' Kane Leaupepe 73' Con: Kaleb Trask (3/4) 12', 22', 74'	Referee: Tipene Cottrell (New Zealand)

	7 October 2018	Otago	21–47	Tasman	Template:Rus Forsyth Barr Stadium
	16:35 NZST	Try: Matt Faddes 43' Sio Tomkinson 60' Slade McDowall 66' Con: Sio Tomkinson (3/3) 44', 61', 67' Cards: Sione Misiloi 22' to 32'	Report	Try: Mitchell Hunt 6' Andrew Makalio 24' Will Jordan 28', 52', 71' David Havili 34' Tima Fainga'anuku 56' Con: Mitchell Hunt (6/7) 7', 25', 29', 35', 53', 57'	Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Week 9

	10 October 2018	Southland	8–56	Auckland	Template:Rus Rugby Park Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Joe Walsh 66' Con: Tayler Adams (0/1) Pen: Tayler Adams (1/1) 7' Cards: Nico Costa 15' to 25'	Report	Try: Salesi Rayasi 11' Fa'atiga Lemalu 21' Mike Sosene-Feagai 45', 61' Tumua Manu 52' Caleb Clarke 71' Desma Liaina 75' Adrian Choat 78' Con: Harry Plummer (5/5) 12', 22', 46', 53', 62' Daniel Kirkpatrick (3/3) 72', 76', 79'	Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)

	11 October 2018	Tasman	29–0	Hawke's Bay	Template:Rus Trafalgar Park
	19:35 NZST	Try: Pari Pari Parkinson 40' Tim O'Malley 43' Mitchell Hunt 68' Jack Grooby 76' Con: Mitchell Hunt (3/4) 40', 68', 77' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 28'	Report		Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

	12 October 2018	Taranaki	10–34	Wellington	Template:Rus Yarrow Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Warwick Lahmert 13' Con: Beaudein Waaka (1/1) 14' Pen: Beaudein Waaka (1/1) 19'	Report	Try: Vaea Fifita 6' Teariki Ben-Nicholas 38' Matt Proctor 47' Malo Tuitama 57' Sitiveni Paongo 66' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/3) 6', 57' Trent Renata (1/2) 48' Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (1/1) 80'	Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

	13 October 2018	Bay of Plenty	38–35	Northland	Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
	14:35 NZST	Try: James Lay 10' Jeff Thwaites 14' Liam Steel 20' Emoni Narawa 29' Fa'asiu Fuatai 50' Chase Tiatia 71' Con: Kaleb Trask (4/6) 11', 15', 21', 51'	Report	Try: Aorangi Stokes 32' Ropate Rinakama 44' Noah Cooper 57' Tamati Tua 76' Jordan Hyland 79' Con: Jack Debreczeni (3/3) 33', 45', 58' Wiseguy Faiane (2/2) 77', 80'	Referee: Tipene Cottrell (New Zealand)

	13 October 2018	Waikato	19–23	Otago – RS	Template:Rus Waikato Stadium
	17:05 NZST	Try: Josh Iosefa-Scott 25' Tyler Campbell 40' Bailyn Sullivan 48' Con: Fletcher Smith (2/3) 26', 49'	Report	Try: Mitchell Scott 11' Joshua Dickson 15' Joketani Koroi 19' Con: Josh Ioane (1/3) 16' Pen: Josh Ioane (2/2) 33', 62'	Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

	13 October 2018	Counties Manukau	14–19	Canterbury	Template:Rus Navigation Homes Stadium
	19:35 NZST	Try: Nigel Ah Wong 21' Sione Molia 33' Con: Luteru Laulala (2/2) 22', 34'	Report	Try: George Bridge 14' Braydon Ennor 40' Penalty try 46' Con: Mitchell Drummond (1/2) 18'	Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

	14 October 2018	Auckland	45–29	North Harbour	Template:Rus Eden Park
	14:05 NZST	Try: Jonathan Ruru 18' TJ Faiane 23', 38' Robbie Abel 44' Jordan Trainor 50' Salesi Rayasi 58', 75' Con: Harry Plummer (5/7) 19', 24', 45', 51', 59' Pen: Harry Plummer (0/1) Cards: Dalton Papalii 71'	Report	Try: Luatangi Li 15' Shaun Stevenson 40' Harrison Groundwater 71' Tony Tu'ungafasi 79' Con: Bryn Gatland (3/4) 40', 71', 80' Pen: Bryn Gatland (1/3) 36'	Attendance: 5,800^[10] Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

	14 October 2018	Manawatu	38–26	Southland	Template:Rus Central Energy Trust Arena
	16:35 NZST	Try: Jackson Hemopo 1' Antonio Kiri Kiri 17', 48' Ngani Laumape 34', 58' Con: Otere Black (5/5) 2', 18', 35', 49', 59' Pen: Jade Te Rure (1/1) 73'	Report	Try: Morgan Mitchell 21' James Wilson 27' Lewis Ormond 45', 70' Con: James Wilson (3/4) 22', 28', 46'	Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Play-offs

Semi-finals			Final

1	Waikato	48

4	Northland	26
			1	Waikato	36

			2	Otago	13
2	Otago	20

3	Hawke's Bay	19

Semi-finals			Final

1	Auckland	38

4	Wellington	17
			1	Auckland	40

			3	Canterbury	33
2	Tasman	16

3	Canterbury	21

Semi-finals

19 October 2018
19:35 NZST

Tasman	16–21	Canterbury
Try: Havili 35' c Con: Hunt (1/1) 36' Pen: Hunt (3/3) 30', 40', 50' Cards: Curry 53' to 63' Jordan 70'	Report	Try: Drummond (2) 64' c, 76' m Con: Cameron (1/2) 65' Pen: Cameron (3/3) 3', 40', 43'

Template:Rus Trafalgar Park
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

20 October 2018
14:35 NZST

Waikato	48–26	Northland
Try: Taukei'aho 15' c Stratton 37' c Reece (4) 40' c, 42' c, 53' c, 59' c Con: Smith (6/6) 16', 38', 40', 43', 54', 60' Pen: Smith (2/2) 52', 72' Cards: Tucker 65' to 75' Jacobson 80'	Report	Try: Nock 2' c Gregory 23' c Wright 30' c Kitto 66' m Con: Debreczeni (3/3) 3', 24', 31' Faiane (0/1) Pen: Debreczeni (0/1) Cards: Nock 35' to 45'

Template:Rus Waikato Stadium
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

20 October 2018
17:05 NZST

Auckland	38–17	Wellington
Try: Nanai 8' c Lemalu 15' c Ioane (2) 31' c, 58' c Fepulea'i 69' c Con: Plummer (5/5) 9', 16', 32', 59', 70' Pen: Plummer (1/2) 37'	Report	Try: Goosen 5' c Ben-Nicholas 49' c Con: Garden-Bachop (2/2) 6', 50' Pen: Garden-Bachop (1/2) 20'

Template:Rus Eden Park
Attendance: 5,600^[11]
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)

20 October 2018
19:35 NZST

Otago	20–19	Hawke's Bay
Try: Scott 50' c Tomkinson 73' c Con: Ioane (2/2) 51', 74' Pen: Ioane (2/3) 27', 80'	Report	Try: Mikaele-Tu'u 5' c Weber 13' c Emerson 62' m Con: Taulagi (2/3) 6', 14'

Template:Rus Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 4,203^[12]
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Finals

26 October 2018
19:35 NZST

Waikato	36–13	Otago
Try: Reece (2) 7' c, 54' c Tupaea 20' c Lansdown 31' m Campbell 45' c Con: Smith (4/5) 8', 21', 46', 55' Pen: Smith (1/1) 69'	Report	Try: Lentjes 43' c Con: Ioane (1/1) 44' Pen: Ioane (2/2) 14', 17'

Template:Rus Waikato Stadium
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

27 October 2018
16:05 NZST

Auckland	40–33 (a.e.t)	Canterbury
Try: Manu 34' c Ioane 48' m Trainor 62' c Clarke 72' c Sosene-Feagai 91' c Fukofuka 92' c Con: Plummer (5/6) 34', 62', 74', 91', 94' Pen: Plummer (0/2)	Report	Try: Penalty try 26' Bridge 32' c Sanders 84' c Con: Cameron (2/2) 33', 85' Pen: Cameron (4/6) 10', 40', 51', 55'

Template:Rus Eden Park
Attendance: 20,130^[13]
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)


FB	15	Jordan Trainor
RW	14	Melani Nanai
OC	13	Tumua Manu
IC	12	TJ Faiane (c)
LW	11	Salesi Rayasi
FH	10	Harry Plummer
SH	9	Jonathan Ruru	62'
N8	8	Akira Ioane		26' to 36'
OF	7	Adrian Choat	62'
BF	6	Evan Olmstead
RL	5	Michael Fatialofa	52'
LL	4	Fa'atiga Lemalu
TP	3	Marcel Renata
HK	2	Robbie Abel	55'
LP	1	Sam Prattley	5'
Replacements:
HK	16	Mike Sosene-Feagai	55'
PR	17	Jarred Adams	5'
PR	18	Marco Fepulea'i
LK	19	Taleni Seu	52'
FL	20	Hoskins Sotutu	62'
SH	21	Leon Fukofuka	62'
FH	22	Daniel Kirkpatrick
WG	23	Caleb Clarke


FB	15	George Bridge
RW	14	Josh McKay
OC	13	Braydon Ennor
IC	12	Phil Burleigh	85'
LW	11	Caleb Makene	26'
FH	10	Brett Cameron
SH	9	Mitchell Drummond (c)	62'
N8	8	Luke Whitelock
OF	7	Billy Harmon		41' to 51'
BF	6	Reed Prinsep
RL	5	Mitchell Dunshea
LL	4	Luke Romano
TP	3	Sef Fa'agase	49'
HK	2	Nathan Vella	49'
LP	1	Alex Hodgman	53'
Replacements:
HK	16	Brodie McAlister	49'
PR	17	Harry Allan	53'
PR	18	Chris King	49'
N8	19	Tom Sanders
FL	20	Tom Christie
SH	21	Ere Enari	62'
CE	22	Sam Beard	85'
WG	23	Ngane Punivai	26'

Statistics

Leading point scorers

No.	Player	Team	Points	Average	Details
1	Fletcher Smith	Waikato	130	10.83	2 T, 54 C, 4 P, 0 D
2	Brett Cameron	Canterbury	121	10.08	1 T, 37 C, 14 P, 0 D
3	Josh Ioane	Otago	116	9.67	4 T, 30 C, 12 P, 0 D
4	Mitchell Hunt	Tasman	116	10.55	4 T, 27 C, 14 P, 0 D
5	Harry Plummer	Auckland	113	9.42	1 T, 42 C, 8 P, 0 D
6	Bryn Gatland	North Harbour	109	10.90	2 T, 27 C, 15 P, 0 D
7	Jack Debreczeni	Northland	100	9.09	2 T, 30 C, 10 P, 0 D
8	Beaudein Waaka	Taranaki	93	9.30	4 T, 20 C, 11 P, 0 D
9	Jackson Garden-Bachop	Wellington	91	8.27	1 T, 28 C, 10 P, 0 D
10	Sevu Reece	Waikato	70	5.83	14 T, 0 C, 0 P, 0 D

Source: mitre10cup.co.nz/Stats

Leading try scorers

No.	Player	Team	Tries	Average
1	Sevu Reece	Waikato	14	1.17
2	Tevita Li	North Harbour	10	1.00
3	Salesi Rayasi	Auckland	9	0.75
4	Will Jordan	Tasman	9	0.82
5	Samisoni Taukei'aho	Waikato	9	0.82
6	Tumua Manu	Auckland	7	0.58
7	Quinn Tupaea	Waikato	7	0.58
8	Matt Faddes	Otago	7	0.58
9	Akira Ioane	Auckland	6	0.50
10	Braydon Ennor	Canterbury	6	0.50

Source: mitre10cup.co.nz/Stats

Points by week

Team	1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		Total		Average
Auckland	23	19	28	12	35	17	36	10	34	29	31	30	26	31	29	24	101	37	343	209	34.30	20.90
Bay of Plenty	30	10	22	17	19	31	28	29	20	32	21	54	15	17	60	67	38	35	253	292	25.30	29.20
Canterbury	17	25	27	20	31	19	34	23	60	55	47	25	49	24	41	7	19	14	325	212	32.50	21.20
Counties Manukau	19	23	17	22	48	51	43	26	12	53	19	21	20	24	26	36	14	19	218	275	21.80	27.50
Hawke's Bay	31	10	31	25	25	29	29	28	22	42	34	51	79	90	45	17	0	29	296	321	29.60	32.10
Manawatu	24	19	21	41	17	50	23	34	19	49	26	78	17	15	17	45	38	26	202	357	20.20	35.70
North Harbour	21	20	29	28	20	32	23	35	53	51	51	34	55	26	36	26	29	45	317	297	31.70	29.70
Northland	20	21	12	28	18	17	23	27	49	19	26	10	65	75	28	71	35	38	276	306	27.60	30.60
Otago	16	34	25	31	50	17	27	23	43	24	25	47	31	26	66	81	23	19	306	302	30.60	30.20
Southland	10	31	24	45	7	52	26	43	24	43	10	26	11	42	22	26	34	94	168	402	16.80	40.20
Taranaki	10	30	41	21	43	37	19	33	17	53	30	31	26	55	7	41	10	34	203	335	20.30	33.50
Tasman	25	17	45	24	32	20	10	36	53	17	50	38	28	22	47	21	29	0	319	195	31.10	19.50
Waikato	19	24	28	29	17	35	76	50	42	22	54	21	42	11	71	28	19	23	368	243	36.80	24.30
Wellington	34	16	20	27	52	7	66	66	53	12	49	7	22	28	24	29	34	10	354	202	35.40	20.20

Tries by week

Team	1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		Total		Average
Auckland	3	3	4	2	5	3	5	1	5	4	5	4	4	5	4	3	15	5	50	30	5.00	3.00
Bay of Plenty	3	1	3	3	3	4	3	4	2	4	3	8	2	2	9	9	6	5	34	40	3.40	4.00
Canterbury	2	3	4	3	4	3	5	2	8	8	7	3	7	3	6	1	3	2	46	28	4.60	2.80
Counties Manukau	3	3	3	3	7	7	6	4	2	8	3	3	3	3	4	5	2	3	33	39	3.30	3.90
Hawke's Bay	4	1	5	3	4	4	4	3	3	6	4	7	12	12	7	2	0	4	43	42	4.30	4.20
Manawatu	4	3	3	5	3	7	2	5	3	7	4	13	2	2	2	7	5	4	28	53	2.80	5.30
North Harbour	2	2	4	4	2	4	2	5	7	6	7	4	9	4	5	4	4	7	42	40	4.20	4.00
Northland	2	2	2	4	2	2	2	3	7	3	4	1	8	12	4	11	5	6	36	44	3.60	4.40
Otago	1	4	3	5	7	3	3	2	7	3	3	7	5	4	9	12	3	3	41	43	4.10	4.30
Southland	1	4	4	7	1	8	4	6	3	7	1	4	1	6	3	4	5	13	23	59	2.30	5.90
Taranaki	1	3	5	3	5	5	3	5	2	7	4	5	4	9	1	6	1	5	26	48	2.60	4.80
Tasman	3	2	7	4	4	2	1	5	7	2	7	6	4	3	7	3	4	0	44	27	4.40	2.70
Waikato	3	4	4	4	3	5	11	8	6	3	8	3	6	1	11	4	3	3	55	35	5.50	3.50
Wellington	4	1	3	4	8	1	10	8	8	2	9	1	3	4	3	4	5	1	53	26	5.30	2.60

Offensive	Defensive

Sanctions

Player	Team	Red	Yellow	Suspended for match(es):
Jarrad Hoeata	Taranaki	1	0	vs. Canterbury
Daniel Lienert-Brown	Canterbury	1	0	vs. Taranaki
Sione Misiloi	Otago	0	2	vs. Bay of Plenty & Tasman
Mitch Jacobson	Waikato	0	2	vs. Northland
Tom Robinson	Northland	0	1	vs. North Harbour
Blair Prinsep	Tasman	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Michael Allardice	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs. Southland
Gareth Evans	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs. Southland
Josh Timu	Otago	0	1	vs. Hawke's Bay
Chris Eves	North Harbour	0	1	vs. Tasman
Malo Tuitama	Wellington	0	1	vs. Waikato
Tolu Fahamokioa	Wellington	0	1	vs. Waikato
Jordan Manihera	Waikato	0	1	vs. Wellington
Tevita Li	North Harbour	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Connor Collins	Canterbury	0	1	vs. North Harbour
Pasqualle Dunn	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs. Waikato
Sione Asi	Manawatu	0	1	vs. Northland
Antonio Kiri Kiri	Manawatu	0	1	vs. Tasman
Baden Wardlaw	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs. Waikato
Melani Nanai	Auckland	0	1	vs. Taranaki
Kara Pryor	Northland	0	1	vs. Hawke's Bay
Faalelei Sione	Manawatu	0	1	vs. Bay of Plenty
Michael Collins	Otago	0	1	vs. Auckland
Sio Tomkinson	Otago	0	1	vs. Bay of Plenty
Meteaki Kafatolu	Wellington	0	1	vs. Auckland
Hamish Northcott	Manawatu	0	1	vs. Hawke's Bay
Sikeli Nabou	Counties Manukau	0	1	vs. North Harbour
Hugh Renton	Canterbury	0	1	vs. Taranaki
Ben Fotheringham	Southland	0	1	vs. Bay of Plenty
Nico Costa	Southland	0	1	vs. Auckland
Dalton Papalii	Auckland	0	1	vs. North Harbour
Michael Curry	Tasman	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Will Jordan	Tasman	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Sam Nock	Northland	0	1	vs. Waikato
James Tucker	Waikato	0	1	vs. Northland
Akira Ioane	Auckland	0	1	vs. Canterbury
Billy Harmon	Canterbury	0	1	vs. Auckland

Ranfurly Shield

Pre-season challenges

In March 2018, Taranaki accepted Ranfurly Shield challenges from both Heartland Championship unions, Wanganui and Poverty Bay after the regular season draw was confirmed.^[14] Tikorangi and Hawera were chosen to host the Ranfurly Shield matches. Taranaki Rugby announced the venues for the pre-season defenses in mid April for July 28 and August 4 at the Tikorangi Domain and TSB Hub.^[15]

28 July 2018
14:35 NZST

Taranaki	78–0	Poverty Bay
Try: Vaeno (3) 1' c, 9' c, 77' m Potroz (2) 3' c, 26' c Naholo (2) 7' m, 16' c Waite 20' m Maka 29' c Northcott-Hill (2) 35' c, 45' c Boshier 52' c Con: Waite (7/9) 2', 4', 10', 17', 27', 36', 46' Northcott-Hill (1/1) 29' Matoe (1/2) 54'	Preview Report

Tikorangi Domain, Tikorangi
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: James Munro (New Zealand)

4 August 2018
14:35 NZST

Taranaki	33–10	Wanganui
Try: Naholo 18' c Penalty try 23' Lewis (2) 25' c, 28' c Northcott-Hill 69' m Con: Waaka (3/4) 19', 26', 29'	Preview Report	Try: Gilbert 33' m Dibben 66' m Con: Scott (0/2)

TSB Hub, Hawera
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Michael Lash (New Zealand)

References

^ "Adjustment to Mitre 10 Heartland Championship bonus points system". Rugby Heartland. 2 September 2016.
^ "NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION Competition Regulations Handbook 2016" (PDF). New Zealand Rugby. Archived from the original (pdf) on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
^ "2010 ITM Cup Competition Structures". Manawatu Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
^ "ITM Cup Finals schedule". allblacks.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
^ "2018 Mitre 10 Cup and Heartland Championship draw announced". mitre10cup.co.nz. 15 March 2016.
^ https://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf
^ https://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf
^ https://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf
^ https://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf
^ https://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf
^ https://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf
^ https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/otago/%E2%80%98belief%E2%80%99-was-key-last-ditch-victory
^ https://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf
^ "Manawatū Turbos get first crack at Ranfurly Shield". stuff.co.nz. 16 March 2018.
^ "Tikorangi, Hāwera to host pre-season Ranfurly Shield defences". stuff.co.nz. 15 April 2018.

External links

Official website

[1] "Adjustment to Mitre 10 Heartland Championship bonus points system". Rugby Heartland. 2 September 2016.

[2] "NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION Competition Regulations Handbook 2016" (PDF). New Zealand Rugby. Archived from the original (pdf) on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2017.

[3] "2010 ITM Cup Competition Structures". Manawatu Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2010.

[ITM_Cup_Finals_schedule-4] "ITM Cup Finals schedule". allblacks.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.

[5] "2018 Mitre 10 Cup and Heartland Championship draw announced". mitre10cup.co.nz. 15 March 2016.

[6] ttps://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf

[7] ttps://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf

[8] ttps://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf

[9] ttps://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf

[10] ttps://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf

[11] ttps://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf

[12] ttps://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/otago/%E2%80%98belief%E2%80%99-was-key-last-ditch-victory

[13] ttps://www.edenpark.co.nz/uploads/images/Eden%20Park%20Annual%20Report%202018.pdf

[14] "Manawatū Turbos get first crack at Ranfurly Shield". stuff.co.nz. 16 March 2018.

[15] "Tikorangi, Hāwera to host pre-season Ranfurly Shield defences". stuff.co.nz. 15 April 2018.

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