Auckland

35 - 36

Full Time

Waikato

Auckland vs Waikato

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

The 80 minutes is up! The referee has blown their whistle to end the second half.

81'

Rico Simpson has their drop goal charged down!

81'

Conversion

Aaron Cruden has kicked a conversion.

79'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Waikato is finished off by Lima Sopoaga

78'

Spellbinding play by Tepaea Cook-Savage is finished off with a try.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Lima Sopoaga bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Waisake Salabiau bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

78'

Waikato go for goal with Aaron Cruden taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

76'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Waikato is finished off by Rui Farrant

75'

Bailyn Sullivan played a key part in that try.

75'

This is dangerous for the defence as Bailyn Sullivan bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

75'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Rui Farrant getting some game time.

74'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Joshua Moorby being replaced.

74'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Andrew Smith getting some game time.

73'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Xavier Saifoloi being replaced.

73'

Penalty Goal

Rico Simpson has kicked a penalty goal.

73'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Pita Anae Ah-Sue getting some game time.

70'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia being replaced.

70'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Taipari Quinn getting some game time.

70'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Mason Tupaea being replaced.

70'

Auckland make a substitution with Oscar Cowley-Andrea coming on.

69'

Auckland make a substitution with Josh Fusitu'a coming off.

69'

Auckland make a substitution with Leo Gordon coming on.

69'

Auckland make a substitution with Codemeru Vai coming off.

69'

Auckland make a substitution with Hamdahn Tuipulotu coming on.

69'

Auckland make a substitution with Angus Ta'avao coming off.

69'

Auckland make a substitution with James Arscott coming on.

69'

Auckland make a substitution with Payton Spencer coming off.

69'

Aaron Cruden takes the conversion but it hits the upright and bounces away, kick unsuccessful.

68'

Try

Tepaea Cook-Savage scores the try from close range.

67'

Xavier Roe sets up the try.

67'

A gap opened in the defence and Oli Mathis took full advantage.

67'

A gap opened in the defence and Joshua Moorby took full advantage.

66'

Waikato sub Tepaea Cook-Savage comes onto the field.

64'

Dan Sinkinson departs for Waikato.

64'

The defensive line has been broken as Lima Sopoaga goes through the gap.

64'

Conversion

The Waikato supporters go wild as Aaron Cruden successfully kicks the conversion.

61'

Try

The Waikato pack has powered over for Oli Mathis to score the try.

60'

Tom Allen comes on for Auckland.

58'

Adrian Choat leaves the field.

58'

Rico Simpson hits the right post with the conversion, failing to add the two points.

58'

Try

A penetrating move by Auckland results in a try for Payton Spencer.

57'

What a run here by Payton Spencer as they get over the gainline!

57'

Xavier Tito-Harris played a key part in that try.

57'

Gabe Robinson comes on for Waikato.

56'

Sefo Kautai leaves the field.

56'

What a run here by Joshua Moorby as they get over the gainline!

54'

Liam Anderson comes on.

53'

Patrick McCurran comes off.

53'

What a run here by Dan Sinkinson as they get over the gainline!

52'

Rico Simpson steps up to take the penalty but pulls it wide and to the left.

51'

Auckland decide to make a substitution, with Mills Sanerivi getting some game time.

49'

Auckland decide to make a substitution, with Soane Vikena being replaced.

49'

Auckland decide to make a substitution, with Adrian Choat getting some game time.

49'

Auckland decide to make a substitution, with Sam Hainsworth-Fa'aofo being replaced.

49'

Waikato make a substitution with Lima Sopoaga coming on.

44'

Waikato make a substitution with Austin Anderson coming off.

44'

Conversion

Rico Simpson adds the two points for Auckland.

44'

Try

Xavier Tito-Harris intercepts and has a clean run to the tryline.

43'

Xavier Tito-Harris makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

42'

Penalty Goal

Rico Simpson kicks the penalty.

42'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

41'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to Aaron Cruden being able to wriggle through a gap.

39'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to Xavier Saifoloi being able to wriggle through a gap.

37'

Penalty Goal

The Auckland supporters go wild as Rico Simpson successfully kicks the penalty goal.

30'

Yellow Card

Austin Anderson (Waikato) is shown a yellow card

30'

Trouble here as Waisake Salabiau breaches the defence.

27'

Conversion

Aaron Cruden makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

24'

Try

Great forward play by Waikato allows Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia to score the try.

23'

Auckland decide to make a substitution, with Rico Simpson getting some game time.

22'

Auckland decide to make a substitution, with Alex Harford being replaced.

22'

Aaron Cruden curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

18'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Waikato is finished off by Bailyn Sullivan

17'

Joshua Moorby sets up the try.

17'

This is dangerous for the defence as Joshua Moorby bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

17'

Conversion

Alex Harford converts the try.

14'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Xavier Tito-Harris leads to a try for Auckland

13'

Conversion

Alex Harford has kicked a conversion.

Try

The kick through from Auckland has allowed Anton Segner to touch down.

The defensive line has been broken as Anton Segner goes through the gap.

That's a great try assist by Taufa Funaki.

The defensive line has been broken as Codemeru Vai goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Auckland v Waikato 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Thu 31st July 2025, 12:10am PDT 
  
 Eden Park 
  
 Paul Williams

Points Flow Chart

Waikato win +1

Time in lead

Mins in lead

91%

% Of Game In Lead

53%

Possession Last 10 min

47%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Cruden

79'

35 - 36

Sopoaga

78'

35 - 34

Farrant

75'

35 - 29

Simpson

35 - 24

73'

Cook-Savage

67'

32 - 24

Cruden

61'

32 - 19

Mathis

60'

32 - 17

Spencer

32 - 12

57'

Simpson

27 - 12

44'

Tito-Harris

25 - 12

43'

Simpson

20 - 12

42'

Half Time

Simpson

17 - 12

30'

Anderson

30'

14 - 12

Cruden

24'

14 - 12

Boyle-Tiatia

23'

14 - 10

Sullivan

17'

14 - 5

Harford

14 - 0

14'

Tito-Harris

12 - 0

13'

Harford

7 - 0

Segner

5 - 0

Start

Win Probability

Auckland

61%

Draw

Waikato

38%

Ruck-Won by Josh Beehre

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.2

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Attack Profile

Auckland

Waikato

More Less

Defence Profile

Auckland

Waikato

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

36%

54%

3-6 secs

41%

38%

6+ secs

23%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

62'

65'

69'

72'

73'

Auckland

Waikato

Auckland vs Waikato Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Auckland face off against Waikato in Hilux NPC Round 1 on Thu 31st July 2025 at Eden Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 08:10. In South Africa it’s at 09:10 SAST, 19:10 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 17:10 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 00:10 EST in the US.

Waikato won the last encounter but Waikato are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 5 places in the league table with Waikato in 7th and Auckland in 12th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Auckland vs Waikato Squads

The official squads for Auckland vs Waikato will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.