Manawatu

36 - 26

Full Time

Waikato

Manawatu vs Waikato

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

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

80'

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

79'

Jai Tamati comes on.

78'

Jordi Viljoen comes off.

78'

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

74'

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

74'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Liam Gilheaney-Black getting some game time.

74'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Sean Ralph being replaced.

74'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Austin Anderson getting some game time.

74'

Waikato decide to make a substitution, with Aki Tuivailala being replaced.

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Sam Coles took full advantage.

72'

Waikato make a substitution with Liam Anderson coming on.

69'

Waikato make a substitution with Luke Jacobson coming off.

69'

Conversion

The Manawatū supporters go wild as Sam Coles successfully kicks the conversion.

69'

Try

A series of passes by Manawatū results in a try for Drew Wild

68'

That's a great try assist by Brett Cameron.

68'

Manawatū make a substitution with Sam Coles coming on.

67'

Manawatū make a substitution with Pena Va'a coming off.

67'

Manawatū make a substitution with Liam Pratt coming on.

67'

Manawatū make a substitution with Malakai Hala-Ngatai coming off.

67'

Waikato make a substitution with Charlie Marsh coming on.

65'

Waikato make a substitution with Rui Farrant coming off.

65'

Waikato sub Gabe Robinson comes onto the field.

62'

Sefo Kautai departs for Waikato.

62'

Conversion

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

61'

Try

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

60'

Spellbinding play by Mitchell Jacobson is finished off with a try.

60'

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

57'

Will Martin comes on for Waikato.

56'

Mason Tupaea leaves the field.

56'

Waisake Salabiau comes on for Waikato.

56'

Tepaea Cook-Savage leaves the field.

56'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Drew Wild kicks the conversion.

52'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Taine Roiri from scoring as they record the try for Manawatū.

51'

What a run here by Jordi Viljoen as they get over the gainline!

50'

Misinale Epenisa comes on.

50'

Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou comes off.

50'

Rowan Slater comes on.

50'

Joe Fabish comes off.

50'

Joshua Moorby makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46'

Conversion

Aaron Cruden adds the two points for Waikato.

45'

Try

Slick passing by Waikato leads to a try for Gideon Wrampling.

44'

Gideon Wrampling makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

Spellbinding play by Hamilton Burr is finished off with a try.

44'

Rui Farrant makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

42'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

41'

Fabulous play by Manawatū has led to Kyle Brown being able to wriggle through a gap.

38'

Manawatū go for goal with Drew Wild taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

35'

Try

Incisive passing by Manawatū is finished off by Kyle Brown, as they goes over for the try.

35'

Fabulous play by Manawatū has led to Kyle Brown being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Jordi Viljoen sets up the try.

34'

Trouble here as Mosese Bason breaches the defence.

32'

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

29'

Try

Silky skills by Waikato ends with a try for Dan Sinkinson.

28'

Trouble here as Dan Sinkinson breaches the defence.

28'

Spellbinding play by Dylan Eti is finished off with a try.

28'

Conversion

Drew Wild makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

27'

Try

Silky skills by Manawatū ends with a try for Taniela Filimone.

26'

Trouble here as Taniela Filimone breaches the defence.

26'

Drew Wild played a key part in that try.

26'

Conversion

Aaron Cruden makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

24'

Try

Rui Farrant goes on their own for a try.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Rui Farrant bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

23'

Manawatū decide to make a substitution, with Raymond Tuputupu getting some game time.

23'

Manawatū decide to make a substitution, with Vernon Bason being replaced.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Gideon Wrampling bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Tepaea Cook-Savage bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

22'

This is dangerous for the defence as Dan Sinkinson bursts through to advance the Waikato attack.

21'

Drew Wild curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

15'

Try

Taine Roiri scores the try from close range.

14'

Drew Wild has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

Try

Manawatū are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Mosese Bason touching down.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Manawatu v Waikato 
  
 Round 6 
  
 Fri 5th September 2025, 07:05pm PDT 
  
 Central Energy Trust Arena 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Warwick Lahmert

Points Flow Chart

Manawatu win +10

Time in lead

Mins in lead

94%

% Of Game In Lead

61%

Possession Last 10 min

39%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Coles

36 - 26

69'

Wild

34 - 26

68'

Cruden

61'

29 - 26

Ralph

60'

29 - 24

Wild

29 - 19

52'

Roiri

27 - 19

51'

Cruden

45'

22 - 19

Wrampling

44'

22 - 17

Half Time

Brown

22 - 12

35'

Sinkinson

28'

17 - 12

Wild

17 - 7

27'

Filimone

15 - 7

26'

Cruden

24'

10 - 7

Farrant

23'

10 - 5

Roiri

10 - 0

14'

Bason

5 - 0

Start

Win Probability

Manawatu

28%

Draw

Waikato

70%

Scrum-Won by Jai Tamati

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.2

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.2

Entries

Attack Profile

Manawatu

Waikato

More Less

Defence Profile

Manawatu

Waikato

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

49%

56%

3-6 secs

40%

28%

6+ secs

11%

16%

Rucks Won

116

Last 5 Penalties

67'

70'

76'

77'

79'

Manawatu

Waikato

Manawatu vs Waikato Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Manawatu face off against Waikato in Bunnings NPC Round 6 on Fri 5th September 2025 at Central Energy Trust Arena. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 03:05. In South Africa it’s at 04:05 SAST, 14:05 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 12:05 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 19:05 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

Manawatu 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 4 places in the league table with Waikato in 7th and Manawatu in 11th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Manawatu vs Waikato Squads

The official squads for Manawatu 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.