Brad Shields of Wellington charges forward during the NPC quarter-final against Waikato. Photo: Photosport
Defending champions Wellington survived a withering comeback from Waikato on Saturday to win a thrilling NPC quarter-final 32-28.
Up 25-7 at the interval in Wellington, the home side were unable to prevent Waikato roaring back with three tries to close within four points entering the final five minutes.
The visitors laid seige on Wellington's line, producing 32 phases in their final attack which was halted in the 85th minute when flanker Samipeni Finau knocked on in a tackle from centre Billy Proctor.
Wellington captain Du'Plessis Kirifi told Sky Sport his team were determined not to lose another big game in the dying minutes, as happened in last week's Ranfurly Shield defeat against challengers Hawke's Bay - which was his team's first loss of the season.
It was a surprisingly close encounter between the teams who had qualified first and eighth for the knockout stage.
Kirifi was among Wellington's try-scorers, along with Julian Savea, Riley Higgins and James O'Reilly.
Waikato scored early through James Tucker while their try-scorers after the break were Pita Anae Ah-Sue, Tana Tuhakaraina and Sean Ralph.
Canterbury and Auckland played out a tight quarter-final in Christchurch on Friday night, with the hosts winning 29-24.
That game marked the end of cross-code star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's stint in rugby union before he returns to the NRL with the Warriors next year.
- RNZ