Canterbury have convincingly won the ITM Cup premiership — domestic rugby's top title — for the fifth year in a row, beating Auckland 31-18 in Christchurch last night.
Auckland scored first but Canterbury went to the break 15-13 up and ran away with the match in the second half, conceding only a late consolation try to Auckland.
Earlier yesterday, spectators ran onto the field in jubilation as East Coast snatched a last-gasp win over Wanganui to win the Heartland championship in Ruatoria.