At a glance

Auckland are the real deal in the Mitre 10 Cup premiership section.

Huge underachievers in recent years, Auckland showed their title credentials with a 34-29 win over Canterbury in Christchurch yesterday, their first in the Garden City since 2007.

Victory means Auckland are five from five in 2018 under firstyear head coach Alama Ieremia. They sit top of the premiership standings and if they continue in this manner look a strong possibility for a home semifinal.

Captain TJ Faiane bagged three tries, including Auckland’s opening two in the first nine minutes as they shot out to a quick 12-0 lead.

Having been starved of the ball in the first half, Canterbury would have been content to go into halftime down 22-15 after a late try to tighthead prop Sef Fa’agase.

Auckland sealed the result with 10 minutes left when centre Tumua Manu gobbled up an intercept from Canterbury’s Phil Burleigh and sprinted away to score.

Canterbury added two tries in the closing stages to secure two bonus points for four tries and losing within seven which could prove pivotal in the final washup.

In just over a week, Waikato have transformed from a team in the despairs of a team-record 10-match losing streak, to Ranfurly Shield holders and championship frontrunners.

The team which has rattled off three consecutive wins, including their impressive 42-22 Shield defence against Hawke’s Bay last Thursday, is anything but the one which started the season 0-3.

Waikato are playing some of