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2017 Mitre 10 Cup season
Countries	New Zealand
Date	17 August – 28 October
Champions	Canterbury
Runners-up	Tasman
Promoted	Wellington
Relegated	Waikato
Matches played	76
Tries scored	589 (average 7.8 per match)
Top point scorer	Richie Mo'unga (Canterbury) 160 points
Top try scorer	Tevita Li (North Harbour) 11 tries
Official website
www.provincial.rugby
← 20162018 →

The 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season was the twelfth season of New Zealand's provincial rugby union competition since it turned professional in 2006. The regular season began on August 17, when North Harbour hosted Otago. It involved the top fourteen rugby unions of New Zealand. For sponsorship reasons, the competition was known as the Mitre 10 Cup and it was the second season under the lead sponsor. The winner of the Championship, Wellington was promoted to the Premiership, while the seventh-placed Premiership team, Waikato was relegated to the Championship.

Format

The Mitre 10 Cup standings were sorted by a competition points system. Four points were awarded to the winning team, a draw equaled two points, while a loss amounted to zero points. Unions could also win their side a respectable bonus point. To receive a bonus point, they must have scored four tries or more or lose by seven or fewer points or less. Each team was placed on their total points received. If necessary of a tiebreaker, when two or more teams finish on equal points, the union who defeated the other in a head-to-head got placed higher. In case of a draw between them, the side with the biggest points differential margin got rights to be ranked above. If they were tied on points difference, it was then decided by a highest scored try count or a coin toss. This seeding format was implemented since the beginning of the 2006 competition.

The competition included a promotion-relegation process with the winner of the Championship receiving automatic promotion to the Premiership, replacing the seventh-placed team in the Premiership which was relegated to the Championship for the following year. The regular season consisted of two types of matches. The internal division matches were when each team played the other six unions in their division once, home or away. The cross-division matches were when each team played four teams from the other division, thus missing out on three teams, each from the opposite division. Each union played home or away games against teams from the other division, making a total of ten competition games for each union. The finals format allowed the top four teams from each division move on to the semi-finals. The top two division winners, based on table points, received a home semi-final. In the first round of the finals, the semi-finals, the second division winner hosted the third division winner, and the first division winner hosted the fourth division winner. The final was hosted by the top remaining seed.

Standings

Source: Mitre 10 Cup standings 2017

Standings progression

Regular season

The 2017 Mitre 10 Cup played across nine weeks with every team playing one Wednesday night fixture in a double-up round where they played twice that week. The competition started on Thursday, August 17, with North Harbour taking on Otago at QBE Stadium, in a repeat of the previous seasons Championship Division final. The opening round saw a repeat of the Premiership final with Tasman against the then current champions Canterbury.

Week 1

Hawke's Bay	24–16	Southland
Try: To'o Junior Vaega 48' Tiaan Falcon 57' Marino Mikaele-Tu'u 68' Con: Ihaia West (3/3) 49', 58', 69' Pen: Ihaia West (1/1) 28' Cards: Geoffrey Cridge  59'	Report	Try: Matthew Johnson 38' Con: Scott Eade (1/1) 39' Pen: Scott Eade (3/5) 6', 25', 53'

Counties Manukau	16–14	Auckland
Try: Fotu Lokotui 13' Con: Baden Kerr (1/1) 14' Pen: Baden Kerr (3/4) 32', 57', 75' Cards: Sam Henwood  17'	Report	Try: Jono Hickey 20' Malakai Fekitoa 45' Con: Jono Hickey (2/2) 21', 46' Pen: Jono Hickey (0/1)

Week 2

Bay of Plenty	46–17	Hawke's Bay
Try: Siegfried Fisiihoi 12' Lalakai Foketi 29' Joe Webber (2) 60', 77' Jesse Parete (2) 71', 80' Con: Mike Delany (4/5) 13', 30', 61', 72' Luke Campbell (1/1) 80' Pen: Mike Delany (2/2) 35', 38'	Report	Try: Marino Mikaele-Tu'u 47' Ihaia West 68' Con: Ihaia West (2/2) 48', 69' Pen: Ihaia West (1/2) 20' Cards: Pouri Rakete-Stones  10'

Waikato	33–21	Counties Manukau
Try: Jordan Manihera (2) 4', 43' Bailyn Sullivan 24' James Tucker 31' Samisoni Taukei'aho 64' Con: Dwayne Sweeney (3/4) 5', 25', 32' Sam Christie (1/1) 65' Pen: Dwayne Sweeney (0/1)	Report	Try: Stephen Donald 48' Augustine Pulu 60' Jonathan Taumateine 70' Con: Baden Kerr (3/3) 49', 61', 71' Cards: Sam Henwood  22'

Auckland	10–8	Northland
Try: Kurt Eklund 34' Con: Jono Hickey (1/1) 35' Pen: Jono Hickey (1/2) 21' Cards: Jordan Trainor  10'	Report	Try: Jone Macilai-Tori 53' Con: Daniel Hawkins (0/1) Pen: Peter Breen (1/1) 11'

Manawatu	35–20	Tasman
Try: Nick Crosswell 21' Kurt Baker 29' Hunter Prescott 49' Hamish Northcott 80' Con: Otere Black (3/4) 22', 50', 80' Pen: Otere Black (3/3) 40', 70', 74'	Report	Try: Alex Ainley 43' Michael Green 65' Con: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 44', 66' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2/2) 5', 54' Cards: Tima Fainga'anuku  64' Jordan Taufua  73'

Week 3

Auckland	27–35	Waikato
Try: Patrick Tuipulotu 8' Marcel Renata 26' Sione Havili 73' Con: Jordan Trainor (3/3) 9', 26', 74' Pen: Jordan Trainor (2/3) 35', 47' Cards: Marcel Renata  54'	Report	Try: Tyler Campbell 2' Jordan Manihera 10' Penalty try 54' Sevu Reece 59' Con: Matthew Lansdown (1/2) 11' Sam Christie (1/1) 60' Pen: Matthew Lansdown (3/3) 23', 32', 80' Sam Christie (0/1)

Hawke's Bay	10–53	Canterbury
Try: Hugh Renton 35' Con: Ihaia West (1/1) 35' Pen: Ihaia West (1/1) 5'	Report	Try: Brett Cameron 10' Marshall Suckling (2) 41', 50' Braydon Ennor (2) 63', 66' Josh McKay 75' Inga Finau 79' Con: Brett Cameron (6/7) 11', 42', 51', 64', 75', 80' Pen: Brett Cameron (2/2) 23', 39' Cards: Nick Werahiko  67'

Waikato	29–31	Tasman
Try: Loni Uhila 8' Sevu Reece 25' Samisoni Taukei'aho 67' Zac Guilford 74' Tawera Kerr-Barlow 84' Con: Matthew Lansdown (2/4) 26', 68' Sam Christie (0/1)	Report	Try: Billy Guyton 14' Vernon Fredericks 22' Will Jordan 43' Jordan Taufua 48' Con: Mitchell Hunt (4/4) 15', 23', 44', 49' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 62' Cards: James Lowe  65'

Week 4

RS – Canterbury	78–20	Southland
Try: Richie Mo'unga (2) 10', 22' Braydon Ennor (4) 41', 44', 65', 70' George Bridge (3) 52', 58', 73' Josh McKay 62' Tim Bateman 76' Con: Richie Mo'unga (5/6) 11', 23', 45', 53', 59' Brett Cameron (5/5) 63', 66', 71', 74', 77' Pen: Richie Mo'unga (1/2) 3'	Report	Try: Junior Ngaluafe 34' Neria Fomai 38' Con: Scott Eade (2/2) 35', 39' Pen: Scott Eade (2/2) 20', 47' Cards: Ryan Tongia  54'

Manawatu	17–20	Bay of Plenty
Try: Otere Black 8' Lewis Marshall 19' Con: Otere Black (2/2) 8', 20' Pen: Otere Black (1/1) 57' Cards: Heiden Bedwell-Curtis  72'	Report	Try: Joe Webber 34' Penalty try 75' Con: Kelly Haimona (1/1) 35' Pen: Kelly Haimona (2/2) 5', 14'

Northland	37–7	Waikato
Try: Solomon Alaimalo 10' Ross Wright 19' Jack Ram 58' Jack Goodhue 73' Jone Macilai-Tori 80' Con: Daniel Hawkins (2/3) 20', 59' Tim Blundell (1/2) 74' Pen: Daniel Hawkins (2/4) 28', 40'	Report	Try: Adam Burn 76' Con: Matthew Lansdown (1/1) 77' Cards: James Tucker  27'

Week 5

Taranaki	29–7	Bay of Plenty
Try: Declan O'Donnell 37' Mitchell Graham 43' Manasa Mataele 74' Sione Lea 78' Con: Marty McKenzie (3/4) 44', 75', 79' Pen: Marty McKenzie (1/2) 28' Cards: Lachlan Boshier  77'	Report	Try: Elijah Nicholas 80' Con: Mike Delany (1/1) 80' Pen: Kelly Haimona (0/1) Cards: Henry Stowers  34'

Otago	27–29	Tasman
Try: Teihorangi Walden 16' Sio Tomkinson 69' Sione Teu 75' Con: Fletcher Smith (3/3) 17', 70', 76' Pen: Fletcher Smith (2/2) 9', 27' Cards: Josh Ioane  47'	Report	Try: Will Jordan 11' James Lowe 14' Levi Aumua 30' Penalty try 46' Con: Mitchell Hunt (2/3) 12', 31' Pen: Mitchell Hunt (1/1) 4' Drop: Alex Ainley  53' Levi Aumua  55'

Week 6

Bay of Plenty	57–0	Southland
Try: Penalty try 7' Hugh Blake 15' Monty Ioane (2) 21', 61' Richard Judd 31' Lalakai Foketi (2) 53', 78' Terrence Hepetema 67' Jesse Parete 71' Con: Mike Delany (3/5) 16', 54', 62' Luke Campbell (2/3) 62', 72', 79'	Report	Pen: Scott Eade (0/1) Cards: Elliot Dixon  7'  44'

Waikato	10–34	Wellington
Try: Bailyn Sullivan 38' Con: Sevu Reece (1/1) 39' Pen: Sevu Reece (1/1) 20'	Report	Try: Sam Lousi 35' Daniel Kirkpatrick 46' Mateaki Kafatolu 61' Thomas Umaga-Jensen 64' Alex Fidow 68' Con: Daniel Kirkpatrick (1/2) 36' Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/3) 42', 69' Pen: Daniel Kirkpatrick (1/1) 3' Cards: Asafo Aumua  10' Regan Verney  55'

Hawke's Bay	17–48	Taranaki
Try: Cardiff Vaega 35' Ihaia West 37' Jarvy Aoake 62' Con: Daniel Snee (1/1) 63' Ihaia West (0/2) Cards: Pouri Rakete-Stones  22'	Report	Try: Toa Halafihi 24' Marty McKenzie 27' Ricky Riccitelli 47' Penalty try 55' Pita Gus Sowakula 58' Sean Wainui 68' Adrian Wyrill 80' Con: Marty McKenzie (3/5) 25', 28', 69' Ciarahn Matoe (1/1) 80' Pen: Marty McKenzie (1/1) 44'

Week 7

Northland	32–30	Otago
Try: Solomon Alaimalo 28' Jone Macilai-Tori 43' Con: Peter Breen (2/2) 29', 44' Pen: Peter Breen (6/6) 8', 27', 34', 40', 51', 76' Cards: Kara Pryor  69'	Report	Try: Fletcher Smith 49' Vilimoni Koroi 62' Jona Nareki 80' Con: Fletcher Smith (3/3) 50', 63', 80' Pen: Fletcher Smith (3/3) 12', 39', 71' Cards: James Lentjes  31' Slade McDowall  50'

Taranaki	40–26	Tasman
Try: Sean Wainui (2) 5', 56' Johnny Fa'auli 17' Lachlan Boshier 28' Pita Gus Sowakula 32' Toa Halafihi 43' Con: Marty McKenzie (5/6) 6', 18', 29', 33', 57'	Report	Try: Andrew Makalio 10' Alex Nankivell 40' Alex Ainley 46' Mitchell Hunt 73' Con: Billy Guyton (2/3) 40', 46' Tim O'Malley (1/1) 74' Cards: Viliami Lolohea  4'  25' Will Jordan  52'

North Harbour	33–30	Hawke's Bay
Try: Penalty try 18' Shaun Stevenson 43' Matt Duffie 62' Con: Bryn Gatland (2/2) 44', 63' Pen: Bryn Gatland (4/4) 5', 23', 72', 78' Cards: Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a  60'	Report	Try: Ash Dixon 8' Cardiff Vaega 26' Jason Long 55' Con: Ihaia West (3/3) 9', 27', 56' Pen: Ihaia West (3/3) 20', 61', 75'

Auckland	38–19	Bay of Plenty
Try: Joseva Ravouvou (2) 6', 10' Vince Aso 43' Melani Nanai 53' Con: Jono Hickey (2/3) 7', 11' Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald (1/1) 44' Pen: Jono Hickey (4/4) 2', 26', 39', 63' Cards: Marcel Renata  18'	Report	Try: Henry Stowers 68' Tom Franklin 72' Jesse Parete 78' Con: Luke Campbell (2/3) 69', 73'

Wellington	27–24	Otago
Try: Alex Fidow 5' Ben Lam (2) 27', 51' Julian Savea 54' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (2/4) 52', 55' Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop (1/1) 76' Cards: Billy Proctor  66'	Report	Try: Jonathan Ruru 33' Vilimoni Koroi 67' Con: Fletcher Smith (1/2) 68' Pen: Fletcher Smith (4/4) 2', 13', 44', 47'

Week 8

Tasman	21–14	North Harbour
Try: Penalty try 5' Will Jordan 14' Shannon Frizell 18' Con: Billy Guyton (2/2) 15', 19' Pen: Tim O'Malley (0/1) Cards: Trael Joass  23'	Report	Try: Matt Duffie 41' Matt Vaega 72' Con: Ben Volavola (1/1) 42' Bryn Gatland (1/1) 73'

Manawatu	24–29	Counties Manukau
Try: Michael Alaalatoa 9' Newton Tudreu 35' Ambrose Curtis 50' Con: Otere Black (3/3) 10', 36', 51' Pen: Otere Black (1/2) 17' Cards: Antonio Kiri Kiri  19'	Report	Try: Ronald Raaymakers 21' Stephen Donald 25' Orbyn Leger 39' Nigel Ah Wong 62' Con: Stephen Donald (3/4) 26', 40', 63' Pen: Stephen Donald (1/2) 13' Cards: Tim Nanai-Williams  8' Tevita Nabura  52' Augustine Pulu  75'

Northland	34–7	Hawke's Bay
Try: Dan Pryor (2) 4', 37' Rene Ranger 54' Tim Bond 79' Con: Peter Breen (2/2) 5', 38' Daniel Hawkins (2/2) 55', 80' Pen: Peter Breen (1/3) 27' Daniel Hawkins (1/1) 65' Cards: Sam Nock  14'	Report	Try: Cardiff Vaega 16' Con: Ihaia West (1/1) 17'

Southland	12–61	Wellington
Try: Tim Boys 62' Michael McKee 80' Con: Greg Dyer (1/2) 80' Cards: Ryan Tongia  68'	Report	Try: Trent Renata 15' William Mangos 19' Jackson Garden-Bachop 24' Asafo Aumua 36' Thomas Umaga-Jensen 38' Wes Goosen 47' Regan Verney 68' Sitiveni Paongo 68' Kemara Hauiti-Parapara 71' Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (5/5) 16', 20', 25', 37', 39' Trent Renata (3/4) 48', 69', 72'

Waikato	11–13	North Harbour
Try: Matthew Lansdown 60' Con: Matthew Lansdown (0/1) Pen: Matthew Lansdown (2/3) 24', 30' Sevu Reece (0/1) Cards: Sevu Reece  61' James Tucker  65'	Report	Try: Matt Duffie 66' Con: Ben Volavola (1/1) 67' Pen: Bryn Gatland (1/2) 13' Ben Volavola (1/3) 80'

Week 9

RS – Taranaki	46–25	Manawatu
Try: Waisake Naholo (2) 21', 40' Seta Tamanivalu (2) 32', 36' Charlie Ngatai 56' Kylem O'Donnell 75' Adrian Wyrill 78' Con: Marty McKenzie (4/7) 37', 40', 57', 79' Pen: Marty McKenzie (1/1) 12' Cards: Declan O'Donnell  70'	Report	Try: Jamie Booth 51' Ambrose Curtis 60' Jade Te Rure 73' Con: Jade Te Rure (2/3) 61', 74' Pen: Otere Black (2/2) 16', 25' Cards: Michael Alaalatoa  29'

Auckland	27–32	Canterbury
Try: Vince Aso 11' Joseva Ravouvou 53' TJ Faiane 74' Con: Jono Hickey (2/2) 12', 54' Harry Plummer (1/1) 75' Pen: Jono Hickey (2/2) 35', 40' Cards: Ben Nee-Nee  21'	Report	Try: Braydon Ennor 8' Caleb Makene 23' Jack Stratton (2) 50', 61' Con: Richie Mo'unga (3/4) 9', 51', 62' Pen: Richie Mo'unga (2/2) 57', 73' Cards: Inga Finau  68'

Bay of Plenty	36–32	Waikato
Try: Chase Tiatia 11' Lalakai Foketi (2) 22', 62' Terrence Hepetema 34' Luke Campbell 69' Con: Mike Delany (4/5) 23', 35', 63', 70' Pen: Mike Delany (1/1) 67' Cards: Lalakai Foketi  40'	Report	Try: Atunaisa Moli 15' Sevu Reece 40' Pita Ahki 42' Laghlan McWhannell 72' Loni Uhila 78' Con: Sevu Reece (1/1) 40' Pita Ahki (1/1) 43' Sam Christie (0/3) Pen: Pita Ahki (1/1) 46' Sam Christie (0/1) Cards: Pita Ahki  57'

Otago	43–19	Southland
Try: Mitchell Scott 16' Sio Tomkinson 35' Jona Nareki 40' Teihorangi Walden 48' Latu Vaeno 57' Jonah Aiona 71' Con: Josh Ioane (5/6) 17', 36', 49', 58', 72' Pen: Josh Ioane (1/1) 28'	Report	Try: Lewis Ormond (2) 33', 51' James Schrader 67' Con: Scott Eade (1/2) 52' Greg Dyer (1/1) 68' Cards: Phil Halder  55'

Counties Manukau	52–30	Tasman
Try: Joe Royal 12' Nigel Ah Wong (2) 18', 40' Orbyn Leger 47' Penalty try 62' Tim Nanai-Williams 70' Sam Henwood 74' Baden Kerr 79' Con: Stephen Donald (2/4) 13', 40' Luteru Laulala (2/2) 71', 75' Jimmy Tupou (1/1) 80' Cards: Baden Kerr  65' Albert Nikoro  65'	Report	Try: Tim O'Malley 2' Ethan Blackadder 7' Levi Aumua 29' Alex Nankivell 42' Con: Tim O'Malley (2/4) 3', 8' Pen: Tim O'Malley (2/2) 24', 56' Cards: Sam Moli  63'

Hawke's Bay	36–31	Manawatu
Try: Gareth Evans 44' Brad Weber 47' Mason Emerson (2) 50', 66' Richard Buckman 52' Jonah Lowe 56' Con: Ihaia West (3/6) 45', 48', 57' Cards: Tony Lamborn  34'	Report	Try: Lewis Marshall 16' Timothy Cadwallader 37' Jason Emery 70' Jade Te Rure 79' Con: Jade Te Rure (3/3) 17', 38', 79' Jason Emery (1/1) 70' Pen: Jade Te Rure (1/1) 20' Cards: Newton Tudreu  34'

Play-offs

Semi-finals

Championship

Wellington	49–21	Northland
Try: Umaga-Jensen 37' c Goosen (2) 42' c, 79' c Renata 48' c Fahamokioa 58' m Verney 66' c Con: Garden-Bachop (5/6) 38', 44', 49', 67', 80' Pen: Garden-Bachop (3/3) 4', 9', 27'	Report	Try: Hyland 10' c Alaimalo 16' c Nock 73' c Con: Hawkins (2/2) 11', 17' Nock (1/1) 74' Cards: Pryor  34'

Bay of Plenty	48–32	Otago
Try: Webber (2) 16' m, 49' c Foketi (2) 24' c, 39' c Stowers 59' m Hepetema 70' c Penalty try 81' m Con: Delany (4/6) 25', 40', 50', 71' Pen: Delany (1/1) 11' Cards: Blake  45'	Report	Try: Anderson-Heather 28' m Teu 46' c Koroi 63' c Walden 76' c Con: Smith (3/4) 47', 64', 77' Pen: Ioane (2/2) 2', 35' Cards: Vaeno  80'

Premiership

Taranaki	29–30	Tasman
Try: O'Donnell 25' c Ngatai 33' c Tahuriorangi 52' c Tamanivalu 55' m Con: McKenzie (3/4) 26', 34', 53' Pen: McKenzie (1/2) 13' Cards: Tamanivalu  73'	Report	Try: Fainga'anuku 28' m Hunt 43' c Con: Hunt (1/2) 44' Pen: Hunt (6/8) 4', 10', 16', 36', 47', 64'

Finals

Championship

Premiership

FB 15 George Bridge  76' RW 14 Josh McKay OC 13 Tim Bateman IC 12 Rob Thompson  76' LW 11 Braydon Ennor FH 10 Richie Mo'unga SH 9 Mitchell Drummond  56' N8 8 Luke Whitelock (c) OF 7 Billy Harmon  27' BF 6 Tom Sanders  76' RL 5 Dominic Bird LL 4 Hamish Dalzell TP 3 Siate Tokolahi  65' HK 2 Ben Funnell  65' LP 1 Alex Hodgman  76' Replacements: HK 16 Nathan Vella  65' PR 17 Chris Gawler  76' PR 18 Oliver Jager  65' LK 19 Reed Prinsep  27' FL 20 Tom Christie  76' SH 21 Jack Stratton  56' FH 22 Brett Cameron  76' WG 23 Inga Finau  76'

FB 15 Will Jordan RW 14 Tomas Aoake  66' OC 13 Levi Aumua  77' IC 12 Alex Nankivell LW 11 James Lowe FH 10 Mitchell Hunt SH 9 Finlay Christie  65' N8 8 Jordan Taufua  41' OF 7 Vernon Fredericks BF 6 Ethan Blackadder RL 5 Shannon Frizell LL 4 Alex Ainley (c)  48' TP 3 Tyrel Lomax  65' HK 2 Andrew Makalio  65' LP 1 Siua Halanukonuka  34'  65' Replacements: HK 16 Ti'i Paulo  65' PR 17 Tom Hill  34'  41' PR 18 Ryan Coxon  41' LK 19 Pari Pari Parkinson  48' FL 20 Pete Samu  41' SH 21 Billy Guyton  65' FH 22 Tim O'Malley  77' CE 23 Trael Joass  66'

Statistics

Leading point scorers

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Leading try scorers

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Points by week

Source: Mitre 10 Cup Fixtures and Results 2017

Tries by week

Source: The weekly reviews of the matches published on provincial.rugby (see "Report" in the individual match scoring stats).

Sanctions

Player	Team	Red	Yellow	Sent off match(es)
Elliot Dixon	Southland	1	2	vs Bay of Plenty
Viliami Lolohea	Tasman	1	2	vs Taranaki
Levi Aumua	Tasman	1	0	vs Otago
Augustine Pulu	Counties Manukau	1	0	vs Manawatu
Albert Nikoro	Counties Manukau	1	0	vs Tasman
Tony Lamborn	Hawke's Bay	1	0	vs Manawatu
Newton Tudreu	Manawatu	1	0	vs Hawke's Bay
Sam Henwood	Counties Manukau	0	2	vs Auckland and Waikato
Pouri Rakete-Stones	Hawke's Bay	0	2	vs Bay of Plenty and Taranaki
Marcel Renata	Auckland	0	2	vs Waikato and Bay of Plenty
Ryan Tongia	Southland	0	2	vs Canterbury and Wellington
James Tucker	Waikato	0	2	vs Northland and North Harbour
Geoffrey Cridge	Hawke's Bay	0	1	vs Southland
Jordan Trainor	Auckland	0	1	vs Northland
Tima Fainga'anuku	Tasman	0	1	vs Manawatu
Jordan Taufua	Tasman	0	1	vs Manawatu
Nick Werahiko	Canterbury	0	1	vs Hawke's Bay
James Lowe	Tasman	0	1	vs Waikato
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis	Manawatu	0	1	vs Bay of Plenty
Henry Stowers	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs Taranaki
Lachlan Boshier	Taranaki	0	1	vs Bay of Plenty
Josh Ioane	Otago	0	1	vs Tasman
Alex Ainley	Tasman	0	1	vs Otago
Asafo Aumua	Wellington	0	1	vs Waikato
Regan Verney	Wellington	0	1	vs Waikato
Kara Pryor	Northland	0	1	vs Otago
James Lentjes	Otago	0	1	vs Northland
Slade McDowall	Otago	0	1	vs Northland
Will Jordan	Tasman	0	1	vs Taranaki
Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a	North Harbour	0	1	vs Hawke's Bay
Billy Proctor	Wellington	0	1	vs Otago
Trael Joass	Tasman	0	1	vs North Harbour
Antonio Kiri Kiri	Manawatu	0	1	vs Counties Manukau
Tevita Nabura	Counties Manukau	0	1	vs Manawatu
Tim Nanai-Williams	Counties Manukau	0	1	vs Manawatu
Sam Nock	Northland	0	1	vs Hawke's Bay
Sevu Reece	Waikato	0	1	vs North Harbour
Michael Alaalatoa	Manawatu	0	1	vs Taranaki
Declan O'Donnell	Taranaki	0	1	vs Manawatu
Ben Nee-Nee	Auckland	0	1	vs Canterbury
Inga Finau	Canterbury	0	1	vs Auckland
Lalakai Foketi	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs Waikato
Pita Ahki	Waikato	0	1	vs Bay of Plenty
Phil Halder	Southland	0	1	vs Otago
Baden Kerr	Counties Manukau	0	1	vs Tasman
Sam Moli	Tasman	0	1	vs Counties Manukau
Dan Pryor	Northland	0	1	vs Wellington
Hugh Blake	Bay of Plenty	0	1	vs Otago
Latu Vaeno	Otago	0	1	vs Bay of Plenty
Seta Tamanivalu	Taranaki	0	1	vs Tasman

Ranfurly Shield

Pre-season challenges

In December 2016, Canterbury accepted Ranfurly Shield challenges from both Wanganui and Mid Canterbury after it was confirmed that several offers were received from Mitre 10 Cup and Heartland Championship unions. Wanganui travelled to Christchurch to play at AMI Stadium, while the Shield went on the road for a challenge against Mid-Canterbury at the Ashburton Showgrounds.

In the first challenge, Canterbury beat Wanganui 71−5 in Christchurch, after running in 10 tries with 10 uncapped players. Canterbury's win ensured them their 133rd successful Shield defence. Captain and halfback Jack Stratton scored the opening try in the 10th minute, before four more first-half tries resulted in the lead out to 36−5 at the break. Also early in the half, a yellow card was awarded to Wanganui prop Viki Tofa, for a high tackle on flanker Billy Harmon. Debutant first-five eighth Brett Cameron kicked 17 points in the match, while hooker Nick Werahiko scored a double. Wing Ngane Punivai impressed with his power and speed. Midfielder Timoci Seruwalu scored the visitors' only try late in the first half, when he powered over the line on the back of a close scrum. Wanganui veteran Peter Rowe retired after the loss with 112 games.

The late pre-season match saw the current holders take on Mid Canterbury, with the opposition losing all 13 of their Ranfurly Shield challenges, with eight of the defeats against Canterbury. Canterbury went on to win another successful defence 69–7. Having led 33–0 at halftime, the defending Mitre 10 Cup champions went on to run in eleven tries to one and beat the Heartland Championship side at the Ashburton Showgrounds. Former New Zealand under-20s World Cup winner Josh McKay was one of four Canterbury players to make their debut in the match, with himself and outside back Nigel Gibb, who beat four defenders on his way to the line, scoring tries in the blowout win. Wing Marshall Suckling and hooker Nathan Vella scored doubles in the win also.

Canterbury	71–5	Wanganui
Try: Stratton 10' c Maitland 15' c Nel 25' c Werahiko (2) 28' c, 56' c Suckling 31' m Dunshea 47' c Waqanibau 66' c Alfeld 70' c Makene 75' c Con: Cameron (7/8) 11', 16', 26', 29', 48', 57', 66' Hart-Strawbridge (2/2) 70', 76' Pen: Cameron (1/2) 2'	Preview Report	Try: Seruwalu 39' m Con: Whale (0/1) Drop: Clare (0/1) Cards: Tofa  40'

See also

• 2017 Heartland Championship

References

1. "Adjustment to Mitre 10 Heartland Championship bonus points system". Rugby Heartland. 2 September 2016.
2. "New Zealand Rugby Union Competition Regulations Handbook 2016" (PDF). New Zealand Rugby. Archived from the original (pdf) on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
3. "2010 ITM Cup Competition Structures". Manawatu Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
4. "ITM Cup Finals schedule". All Blacks. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
5. "Historical Standings". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
6. "2017 draws released for Mitre 10 Cup and Mitre 10 Heartland Championship". Mitre 10 Cup. 7 March 2017.
7. "Historical Fixtures and Results". New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
8. "Canterbury Confirm 2017 Ranfurly Shield Challenges". Mitre 10 Cup. 5 December 2016.
9. "Rugby: Canterbury crush Wanganui Ranfurly Shield challenge". New Zealand Herald. 22 June 2017.
10. "Canterbury defeat Wanganui 71-5 to defend Ranfurly Shield". Newshub. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
11. "Canterbury rout Mid Canterbury to retain Ranfurly Shield in Ashburton". Stuff. 4 August 2017.
12. "Canterbury defeat Mid-Canterbury 69-7 to retain Ranfurly Shield". Newshub. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.

External links

• Official website

• National Provincial Championship seasons
• 2017 in New Zealand rugby union
• 2017 rugby union tournaments for clubs