NPC: Canterbury go down

The return of Dan Carter could not have come at a better time after Canterbury suffered their first loss of the competition.

Carter will make his return against Southland, on Sunday, after recovering from a fractured fibula he picked up in the Super Rugby final playing for the Crusaders.

North Harbour recorded the famous victory, and perhaps the upset of the 2014 season thus far, with a 29-24 to hand them their first win over Canterbury in five years.

*Thursday's match produced one of the closest matches of the campaign thus far where Northland held off Bay of Plenty to record a 30-27 away win.

A draw was on the cards but the home side were left heartbroken when Latiume Fosita slotted a late penalty to hand the visitors the victory.

*Taranaki out-muscled Auckland to claim a 35-22 bonus point victory over a desperate Auckland on Friday.

Wednesday's score and scorers:

North Harbour 29-24 Canterbury

For North Harbour:

Tries: Thompson, Li, Parsons, Ratumaitavuki

Cons: McGahan 3

Pen: McGahan

For Canterbury:

Tries: Apa, Taylor, Heinz

Cons: Mo'unga 3

Pen: Mo'unga

Thursday's score and scorers:

Bay of Plenty 27-30 Northland

For Bay of Plenty:

Tries: Iongi, Royal, Bond

Cons: Hollinshead 3

Pens: Hollinshead 2

For Northland:

Tries: Takulua 2, Dunn

Cons: Hawkins 2, Fosita

Pens: Hawkins 2, Fosita

Friday's score and scorers:

Taranaki 35-22 Auckland

For Taranaki:

Tries: Marshall, Hall, Tamanivalu, Ngatai

Cons: McKenzie 3

Pens: McKenzie 2

DG: McKenzie

For Auckland:

Try: Moala

Con: Anscombe

Pens: Anscombe 5