For Bay of Plenty, the winner of the inaugural NPC in 1976 when the competition was decided in a round-robin format, it will be their first final.
Bay of Plenty 32 Canterbury 20
Early penalty goals were exchanged in Tauranga, although home kicker Kaleb Trask had cause to ponder two missed attempts. But after an extended period in Canterbury's 22m area, the Bay pack took advantage of a penalty kick to the corner instead, and it was flanker Joe Johnston who got over in the corner from a rolling maul. Canterbury backed that with a stint in the Bay's 22m, and hooker Brodie McAlister scored the visitors' first try from mauling play. Another penalty goal to first five-eighths Isaac Hutchinson saw Canterbury to the break leading 13-8.
Bay of Plenty emerged for the restart in a different mood, and two minutes in, under penalty advantage, it was second five-eighths Willis Haloholo who charged over in the corner to level the scores. But, in the 56th minute, Bay of Plenty stole a crucial march when replacement fullback Lucas Cashmore raced into the backline to create an overlap that saw wing Leroy Carter show his scoring expertise to touch down in the corner. Trask recovered his kicking touch and landed a sideline conversion to put the home team out to a 22-13 lead, and moments later added a penalty goal. With 10 minutes left, a Canterbury kick was taken by Cashmore, whose effort to run the ball back was supported by replacement midfielder Fehi Fineanganofo. He split the defence, and while tackled, he had loose forward Semisi Paea backing up with a full head of steam that carried him 22m to score. That was effectively the end for the Cantabrians, who did have some consolation with the last try of the game after halfback Willi Heinz took a tap penalty to put replacement back Jone Rova in for the try.
Bay of Plenty 32 (Joe Johnston, Willis Haloholo, Leroy Carter, Semisi Paea tries; Kaleb Trask 3 con, 2 pen) Canterbury 20 (Brodie McAlister, Jone Rova tries; Isaac Hutchinson con, pen; Chay Fihaki con). HT: 8-13
Wellington 29 Waikato 24
Having met Wellington three times before in semifinals and lost them all, Waikato headed south looking for a change in fortunes. Penalty goals were exchanged early on, but after the second powerful charge by hooker Leni Apisai, Wellington scored first, after second five-eighths Riley Higgins broke through in midfield and off-loaded to halfback Kyle Preston to score under the posts in the 18th minute. But Waikato wing Ollie Mathis built something from nothing when, from his half, he received the ball, kicked ahead, got a favourable bounce to kick again, recovered, and dived over for Waikato's opening try. Four minutes before halftime, Higgins was yellow-carded for being offside and impeding the ball, which resulted in a penalty try. That didn't deter the home team as they got down the other end, and prop Siale Lauaki thundered his way over to give the halftime score of 17-15 to the visitors.
Almost mirroring the untidy backfield play that resulted in Waikato's first try, Wellington recovered, and first five-eighths Callum Harkin put a weighted kick ahead and got the bounce to link outside to fullback Tjay Clarke who had Preston at hand to take the ball and score his second. Home captain Kirifi du'Plessis showed some outstanding leadership in defence, josting ball loose in tackles and unrelenting in his turnover plays. Fourteen minutes from the end, replacement hooker Penieli Poasa was on the end of a Wellington lineout drive and secured a try that gave his side a welcome scoring buffer. Waikato scored with five minutes left, off the back of a long pass from first five-eighths Aaron Cruden to second five-eighths Quinn Tupaea posted on the flank. He linked inside, and it was replacement prop Mason Tupaea who scored. That gave Waikato a sniff, but Wellington had the final in its sights, offered no openings for the visitors, and secured the win.
Wellington 29 (Kyle Preston 2, Siale Lauaki, Penieli Poasa tries; Callum Harkin 3 con, pen) Waikato 24 (Ollie Mathis, Mason Tupaea tries; Penalty try; Aaron Cruden 2 con, pen). HT: 15-17