No budging in Eden Park stalemate
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Auckland and Tasman played out a 16-16 draw at Eden Park to close proceedings on the third round of the NPC.
It was a match where Tasman, with slight edges in the statistical charts, might have felt hard done by but Auckland were able to hold out an attack that has run rampant in recent weeks.
The draw will ensure that the newly promoted side remains in the top four, while Auckland will finish the weekend fifth in the Premiership.
The Amber and Blacks won their second straight match of the season with a commanding 41-3 victory over Bay of Plenty at Yarrow Stadium.
It was a smashing first half from the home team, who ran up a 34-3 half-time lead.
The second half might have seen Taranaki score a try with time almost up on the clock, but Bay of Plenty were the dominant team in regard to possession and territory in the final stanza – but were unable to register any points.
Taranaki, who will finish the round in the top four of the Premiership, have another home game next week with Southland arriving in New Plymouth.
All Sunday's scores and scorers:
Auckland 16-16 Tasman
For Auckland:
Tries: Luatua
Con: Hickey
Pens: Hickey 3
For Tasman:
Tries: MacDonald
Con: Banks
Pens: Banks 3
Taranaki 41-3 Bay of Plenty
For Taranaki:
Tries: Rei, Thomson, Naholo, Broadhurst, Ngatai, McKenzie
Cons: McKenzie 4
Pen: McKenzie
For Bay of Plenty:
Pen: Hollinshead
NPC standings (Under played, won, points)
Premiership:
Canterbury (3, 3, 15)
Taranaki (4, 2, 13)
Tasman (3, 2, 12)
Waikato (4, 2, 9)
Counties Manakau (3, 1, 8)
Auckland (3, 1, 7)
Wellington (3, 0, 1)
Championship:
Hawke's Bay (3, 2, 9)
Otago (3, 2, 9)
Manawatu (3, 2, 8)
Southland (3, 2, 8)
North Harbour (3, 0, 6)
Northland (3, 1, 6)
Bay of Plenty (3, 0, 1)
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