Premiership top four already well established

with just four minutes to play, but with stand-in Wellington captain Ardie Savea in the sinbin, Otago flanker Naulia Dawai barged over and then centre Matt Faddes scored right on fulltime, with Peter Breen converting both to snatch the win.

However, Wellington prop Jeffery To’omaga-Allen said he was still confident the Lions could win promotion to the Premiership despite the loss.

‘‘I can speak for myself and the team [and say] it doesn’t dent our confidence at all.

‘‘Because of our team culture [and] how we respond in meetings [and] the amount of experience as well, I’m just really confident.’’

They’ll have to do so though without captain Brad Shields, who is out for the rest of the season after breaking his jaw during the encounter.

Hawke’s Bay narrowly kept hold of the Ranfurly Shield by defeating Bay of Plenty 23-17 in Napier on Saturday.

The Magpies top the Championship with five wins from six matches and face their biggest Shield defence this season when they host Auckland on Thursday.

Southland thumped Premiership side Manawatu 49-14 to leave the Turbos bottom of the Premiership.

Hapless Northland remain without a win after another drubbing, this time at the hands of Counties-Manukau 42-17 in Whangarei. It was just the second victory of Counties’ campaign and pushed them ahead of Manawatu in the quest to avoid relegation from the Premiership.

Northland have now lost all six of their Championship matches, conceding 229 points while scoring only 69.

Despite being destined to finish bottom, there’s very little pressure on the Taniwha as there’s no promotion-relegation system between the Championship and the Heartland Championship.