NPC wrap: Wellington defend Ranfurly Shield against North Harbour and confirm top spot

At Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua: Wellington 26 (Losi Filipo, Billy Proctor, Aidan Morgan, Ruben Love tries; Morgan 3 con) North Harbour 6 (Bryn Gatland 2 pen). HT: 14-6

Yellow card: Billy Proctor (Wellington)

Wellington march onwards.

The Lions clinched top spot on the NPC ladder with another impressive performance against North Harbour, mixing aggressive defence with some lethal moments in attack.

With one round of the regular season remaining – Wellington host Hawke’s Bay next week – Wellington can’t be caught at the top of the ladder after their ninth successive win this season.

Their grasp of the Ranfurly Shield was never truly challenged by Harbour in sunny but windy conditions, particularly with midfield stars Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor once again operating in tandem.

Proctor scored a clever try in the first half after a well-weighted kick by Umaga-Jensen in another example of the understanding between the Hurricanes pair.

Harbour were well served by classy No 8 Cameron Suafoa, but Wellington had the sharper edge in the backline with No 10 Aidan Morgan also proving a handful with his willingness to take the ball to the line.

Morgan’s try at the start of the second half was also a critical moment, with Wellington playing into the wind for the second 40 minutes.

Wellington were on high alert for All Black Shaun Stevenson, with multiple defenders working hard to shut down his space whenever he had the ball.

Stevenson’s opposite, Ruben Love also showed that he is well and truly over the injury issues that plagued his Super Rugby campaign, and Wellington look to be firmly on track to back up the NPC title they won last year.

After a weekend of some significant results, Canterbury, Taranaki and Tasman are in control of their own destinies next week.

That trio can all join Wellington in booking a home final with victories in their final-round fixtures.

Auckland and Hawke’s Bay are both also in the running for a coveted top-four position, but Auckland could live to regret their failure to beat an injury-hit Taranaki on Saturday.

Harbour’s loss also means the Counties Manukau are clinging on to eighth spot on the ladder. The Steelers smashed struggling Manawatū on Saturday, and the race for the last place in the finals is a three-way race between Counties, Harbour and Waikato, who thrashed a rudderless Otago 47-7 on Sunday.

AT A GLANCE

NPC, Round 9

At Northland Events Centre, Whangarei: Bay of Plenty 32 (Kurt Eklund, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Bartlett tries; Wharenui Hawera 3 con, 2 pen) Northland 26 (Tamati Tua, Heremaia Murray tries; Rivez Reihana 2 con, 3 pen, Daniel Hawkins 1 pen) HT: 18-16.

At Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe: Counties Manukau 46 (Suetena Asomua, Josh Gray 2, Sean Reidy, Ian West-Stevens, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Ioane Moananu 2 tries; Tevita Ofa 3 con) Manawatū 19 (Brayden Iose 2, James Tofa tries; Isaiah Ravula 2 con).HT: 24-14

At Rugby Park, Invercargill: Hawke’s Bay 33 (Tyrone Thompson, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Josh Kaifa 2, Brad Weber; Lincoln McClutchie 3 con, Caleb Makene con) Southland 7 (Tevita Latu try; Greg Dyer con). HT: 19-7

At Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch: Canterbury 30 (Tom Christie, Manasa Mataele, Solomon Alaimalo tries; Fergus Burke 3 pen, 3 con) Tasman 28 (Macca Springer, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Taine Robinson tries; Robinson 3 pen, 2 con). HT: 27-13

At Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth: Taranaki 18 (Ricky Riccitelli, Tom Florence tries; Jayson Potroz con, pen, Josh Jacomb pen) Auckland 16 (Salesi Rayasi try; Zarn Sullivan 3 pen, con). HT: 12-16

At FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton: Waikato 47 (Aaron Cruden (2), Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Austin Anderson, Tepaea Cook-Savage tries; Cruden 5 con, Daniel Sinkinson con) Otago 7 (Fabian Holland try; Sam Gilbert con). HT: 28-0

POINTS (games played): Wellington 42 (9), Canterbury 35 (9), Taranaki 33 (9), Tasman 31 (9), Hawke’s Bay 30 (9), Auckland 28 (9), Bay of Plenty 25 (8), Waikato 24 (9), Counties Manukau 23 (9), North Harbour 22 (9), Northland 15 (9), Otago 13 (9), Manawatū 11 (9), Southland 3 (8).