Waikato

45 - 12

Full Time

Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau vs Waikato

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Paul Williams has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Conversion

Tepaea Cook-Savage converts the try.

80'

Try

Waikato are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Dan Sinkinson picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

79'

Melani Matavao comes on.

78'

Blake Makiri comes off.

78'

Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia comes on.

77'

Sean Ralph comes off.

77'

Senita Lauaki comes on.

75'

Taha Kemara comes off.

75'

Counties Manukau decide to make a substitution, with Austin Atiga getting some game time.

72'

Counties Manukau decide to make a substitution, with Ian West-Stevens being replaced.

72'

A gap opened in the defence and Blake Makiri took full advantage.

70'

Waikato make a substitution with Taipari Quinn coming on.

67'

Waikato make a substitution with Mason Tupaea coming off.

67'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Leo Ngatai-Tafau coming on.

67'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Alamanda Motuga coming off.

67'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Aporosa Vuniyayawa coming on.

67'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Tuna Tuitama coming off.

67'

Conversion

The Waikato supporters go wild as Taha Kemara successfully kicks the conversion.

67'

Try

Waikato are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Oli Mathis touching down.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Oli Mathis goes through the gap.

66'

Austin Anderson sets up the try.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Nathan Stephens goes through the gap.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Alamanda Motuga goes through the gap.

66'

Conversion

The Waikato supporters go wild as Taha Kemara successfully kicks the conversion.

64'

Try

A stunning solo try from Oli Mathis

63'

The defensive line has been broken as Oli Mathis goes through the gap.

63'

Spellbinding play by Rui Farrant is finished off with a try.

63'

Andrew Smith comes on for Waikato.

59'

James Tucker leaves the field.

59'

Malachi Wrampling-Alec comes on for Waikato.

57'

Senita Lauaki leaves the field.

57'

Jackson Rainsford comes on for Counties Manukau.

57'

Tevita Ofa leaves the field.

57'

Waisake Salabiau comes on for Waikato.

57'

D'Angelo Leuila leaves the field.

57'

Cohen Brady-Leathem comes on for Counties Manukau.

57'

Melani Matavao leaves the field.

57'

Ezekiel Lindenmuth comes on for Counties Manukau.

57'

Jarred Adams leaves the field.

57'

Veikoso Poloniati comes on for Counties Manukau.

56'

Leo Ngatai-Tafau leaves the field.

56'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Taha Kemara kicks the conversion.

56'

Try

A penetrating move by Waikato results in a try for D'Angelo Leuila.

55'

That's a great try assist by Samipeni Finau.

55'

Yellow Card

Adam Morrison (Counties Manukau) is shown a yellow card

54'

What a run here by Nathan Stephens as they get over the gainline!

54'

What a run here by Sean Ralph as they get over the gainline!

52'

Alamanda Motuga comes on.

52'

Austin Atiga comes off.

52'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Sefo Kautai getting some game time.

49'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with George Dyer being replaced.

49'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Sean Ralph getting some game time.

49'

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

49'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Jahrome Brown getting some game time.

49'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Mitch Jacobson being replaced.

49'

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

49'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Daiki Nakajima being replaced.

49'

Counties Manukau decide to make a substitution, with Kurene Luamanuvae getting some game time.

47'

Counties Manukau decide to make a substitution, with Atu Moli being replaced.

47'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Austin Atiga coming on.

42'

Counties Manukau make a substitution with Alamanda Motuga coming off.

42'

Yellow Card

Ian West-Stevens (Counties Manukau) is shown a yellow card

41'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

40'

Counties Manukau sub Sione Molia comes onto the field.

36'

Josh Gray departs for Counties Manukau.

36'

The left post denies Taha Kemara from adding the extras.

36'

Try

Incisive passing by Waikato is finished off by Tepaea Cook-Savage, as they goes over for the try.

35'

Nathan Stephens sets up the try.

35'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to D'Angelo Leuila being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

Fabulous play by Waikato has led to Dan Sinkinson being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

Conversion

AJ Alatimu makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

27'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Atu Moli scores from close range.

27'

Melani Matavao played a key part in that try.

27'

Taha Kemara curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.

23'

Try

Waikato are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Taha Kemara picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

22'

That's a great try assist by Daiki Nakajima.

22'

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

15'

AJ Alatimu has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

11'

Try

A series of passes by Counties Manukau results in a try for Josh Gray

10'

A gap opened in the defence and Josh Gray took full advantage.

10'

Blake Makiri played a key part in that try.

10'

Yellow Card

James Tucker (Waikato) is shown a yellow card

Conversion

Taha Kemara has kicked a conversion.

Try

Waikato are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Senita Lauaki touching down.

Waikato have a drop goal attempt, but its pushed to the right.

We are underway as the referee Paul Williams blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Waikato v Counties Manukau 
  
 Round 4 
  
 Sat 22nd August 2026, 07:05pm PDT 
  
 FMG Stadium Waikato 
  
 RugbyPass TV 
  
 Paul Williams

Points Flow Chart

Waikato win +33

Time in lead

Mins in lead

85%

% Of Game In Lead

28%

Possession Last 10 min

72%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Cook-Savage

45 - 12

80'

Sinkinson

43 - 12

79'

Kemara

38 - 12

67'

Mathis

36 - 12

66'

Kemara

31 - 12

64'

Mathis

29 - 12

63'

Kemara

24 - 12

56'

Leuila

22 - 12

55'

Morrison

54'

17 - 12

West-Stevens

41'

17 - 12

Half Time

Cook-Savage

17 - 12

35'

Alatimu

27'

12 - 12

Moli

27'

12 - 10

Kemara

12 - 5

22'

Gray

10'

7 - 5

Tucker

7 - 0

Kemara

7 - 0

Lauaki

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.7

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.7

Entries

Attack Profile

Waikato

Counties Manukau

More Less

Defence Profile

Waikato

Counties Manukau

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

62%

51%

3-6 secs

29%

41%

6+ secs

10%

Rucks Won

106

Last 5 Penalties

61'

70'

72'

74'

77'

Waikato

Counties Manukau

Waikato vs Counties Manukau Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Waikato face off against Counties Manukau in Hilux NPC Round 4 on Sat 22nd August 2026 at FMG Stadium Waikato. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 03:05. In South Africa it’s at 04:05 SAST, 14:05 NZST on TVNZ+ in New Zealand, 12:05 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 19:05 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

Waikato won the last encounter but both teams are in the same form for their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 3 places in the league table with Counties Manukau in 8th and Waikato in 11th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Waikato vs Counties Manukau Squads

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