Whilst the Black Ferns put in a commanding display to secure their quarter-final spot for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Farah Palmer Cup continued to light up the grounds across New Zealand. The North and South Islands of Aotearoa were treated to another breathless weekend of the Premiership and Championship divisions, as the unbeaten runs of Auckland and Canterbury finally came to an end.

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In the Premiership, Auckland and Canterbury had their unbeaten runs ended by Waikato and Manawatū, respectively, as Otago continues to soar in as the leading side in the Championship. There never seems to be a quiet moment across the Farah Palmer Cup, with Round 4 serving up six more exhilarating fixtures from the land of the defending Women’s World Champions.

FULL RECAP: 2025 FARAH PALMER CUP ROUND 4

Northland Kauri 39 – 22 North Harbour Hibiscus

Northland stormed back from a 17-0 deficit to claim a thrilling victory over North Harbour in Albany. The Kauri’s dominant scrum and lineout set the platform for their comeback, with a penalty try awarded early after a North Harbour scrum collapsed five meters from the line. Former Black Ferns prop Krystal Murray produced a signature break, linking with halfback Holli O’Sullivan before racing 15 meters to score.

Hooker Trish Vaka added a textbook lineout try, while open-side Nora Maaka, fresh of the back of overcoming a serious knee injury, scored twice in the second half. North Harbour started brightly, with tries from Georgia Brierly, Ellie Harrison, and Katelyn Hilton, but Northland’s resilience and forwards’ strength ultimately proved decisive.

NORTHLAND KAURI: 39 (17)
TRIES: Penalty Try, Krystal Murray, Trish Vaka, Nora Maaka 2, Te Ruawai Herbert-Brown, Hazel Stolz
CONVERSIONS: Tyler Nankivell

NORTH HARBOUR HIBISCUS: 22 (17)
TRIES: Georgia Brierly, Ellie Harrison, Holly Williams, Katelyn Hilton
CONVERSIONS: Ella Enderson

Manawatū Cyclones 22 – 21 Auckland Storm

Manawatū ended their seven-year long wait for a victory over Auckland, in a dramatic Palmerston North clash. Auckland started explosively through loose forwards Taufa Bason and Elizabeth Moimoi, but Manawatū’s defence forced a turnover at the 30-minute mark.

A quick tap from Paige Lush allowed Prayer Playle to then score in the corner. Wikitoria Doyle’s 12th try of the season and Rangimarie Sturmey’s 40-meter runaway put the Cyclones in control, while Ngano Tavake sealed the comeback for Manawatu. Despite a sin bin and late Auckland surge, Manawatū’s forwards, led by Kahurangi Sturmey and Sam Taylor, held firm to claim a famous win.

MANAWATŪ CYCLONES: 22 (5)
TRIES: Prayer Playle, Wikitoria Doyle, Rangimarie Sturmey, Ngano Tavake
CONVERSIONS: Selica Winiata

AUCKLAND STORM: 21 (14)
TRIES: Taufa Bason, Elizabeth Moimoi, Emacyn Ieremia
CONVERSIONS: Daynah Nankivell 3

Otago Spirit 48 – 15 Tasman Mako

Otago maintained their unbeaten Championship run with a commanding win over Tasman. The Spirit were sluggish early, trailing at the break, but four second-half tries turned the tide for Otago. Greer Muir excelled with 14 tackles, three line breaks, and a stunning 60-meter try after an offload and chip.

Sarah Jones impressed in the loose, while Charlotte Va’afusaga and Naomi Sopoaga provided incisive attacking support for Otago. Tasman’s Jett Hayward and Kim Lammers fought hard but lacked the fitness to sustain their challenge against the vibrant Otago midfield.

OTAGO SPIRIT: 48 (17)
TRIES: Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Sarah Jones 2, Hannah Norris, Naomi Sopoaga, Jamie Church, Abigail Paton, Greer Muir
CONVERSIONS: Abigail Paton 3, Sarah Jones

TASMAN MAKO: 15 (15)
TRIES: Jett Hayward, Kim Lammers
CONVERSIONS: Bethan Manners
PENALTIES: Bethan Manners

Counties Manukau Heat 65 – 14 Hawke’s Bay Tui

The Heat imposed their authority from the outset in Pukekohe, scoring five first-half tries despite a Hawke’s Bay fightback. Esther Afoa-Tilo, Mererangi Paul, Shyanne Thompson, and Fou Sefo powered over for the hosts, while Briar Hales’ solo effort gave the Tui hope.

In the second half, Counties ran in six more tries, with Thompson completing a hat-trick. The forwards’ dominance allowed replacements to shine, and Hazel Tubic and Abbey Lockhart added crucial conversions, ensuring the Heat ran out convincing winners.

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEAT: 65 (27)
TRIES: Shyanne Thompson 3, Lana Samuelu 2, Mererangi Paul, Tara Turner, Sina Tainefu, Fou Sefo, Mele Latu’ila, Teuila Sotutu
CONVERSIONS: Hazel Tubic 3, Abbey Lockhart

HAWKE’S BAY TUI: 14 (14)
TRIES: Briar Hales, Maleta Pailate
CONVERSIONS: L. Hakiwai 2

Wellington Pride 76 – 0 Taranaki Whio

The Pride delivered a masterclass in clinical rugby at Porirua Park, securing a four-try bonus point inside 20 minutes. Hooker Vailani Vaka and wing Harmony Kautai each scored twice in a dominant first half. Fullback Keira Su’a Smith reached a half-century after the break, while replacement Keiana Roffey completed a hat-trick. Lesieli Tuangalu scored on debut in the final minutes.

Taranaki’s No. 8 Briana Poingdestre worked tirelessly, but Wellington’s forwards and backs combined flawlessly in a rain-soaked display.

WELLINGTON PRIDE: 76 (47)
TRIES: Keiana Roffey 3, Vailani Vaka 2, Harmony Kautai 2, Ivana Samani, Isadora Laupola, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Keira Su’a-Smith, Lesieli Tuangalu
CONVERSIONS: Arene Landon-Lane 8

TARANAKI WHIO: 0 (0)

Waikato 28 – 17 Canterbury

Waikato ended Canterbury’s unbeaten run in a fiery Premiership clash, retaining the JJ Stewart Trophy in Hamilton. Canterbury opened with a try from Fia Laikong, but Waikato responded through Hinemaringi Scott and Toka Natua. Leata Puni-Lio and Grace Houpapa-Barrett extended the lead, with Kaea Nepia’s conversions keeping them ahead.

Canterbury scored late through Sophie Kerr and Lialanie Muamua but could not bridge the gap. Waikato’s forwards, including Roelien du Plessis with 25 tackles, controlled the contest with simple, effective rugby, delivering the largest win over Canterbury since 2014.

WAIKATO: 28 (21)
TRIES: Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Toka Natua, Leata Puni-Lio, Hinemaringi Scott
CONVERSIONS: Kaea Nepia 4

CANTERBURY: 17 (10)
TRIES: Fia Laikong, Sophie Kerr, Lailanie Muamua
CONVERSIONS: Hannah King

Farah Palmer Cup – Round 4: Winning streaks ended for Auckland and Canterbury