Relive 1 NEWS NOW's live coverage of this Mitre 10 Cup clash between Auckland and Waikato, from Eden Park.
9:14pm: FULLTIME - Auckland 35 Waikato 17
Waikato looking for the bonus point try as the siren goes, but Dawai throws a forward pass and that'll be that.
9:13pm: 80 mins - Auckland 35 Waikato 17
TRY!!! Auckland penalised on their own 10m line, and Waikato halfback Kylem O'Donnell takes it quickly and scores! Waikato finishing strong.
The kick is taken quickly, but misses.
9:11pm: 78 mins - Auckland 35 Waikato 12
Umaga looks to have pinched an intercept - but he's called for offside! Anti-climax of the night! Waikato take the lineout to restart.
9:09pm: 76 mins - Auckland 35 Waikato 12
Waikato not going down without a fight, as Akira Ioane is penalised for hands in the ruck. Waikato take the lineout, Taukei'aho throws and Waikato drive.
The Mooloos can't hold onto the ball though. Auckland scrum.
9:06pm: 73 mins - Auckland 35 Waikato 12
TRY!!! Waikato win a penalty inside Auckland's half and opt for the lineout. The Mooloos claim the ball and drive, and they've got it down, Samisoni Taukei'aho the try scorer.
The kick is wayward though.
9:00pm: 67 mins - Auckland 35 Waikato 7
TRY!!! Another skewed Waikato clearance gives Auckland another attacking lineout, this time from the Waikato 22. Again, the forwards work the ball towards the middle before Faiane has a go.
Trainor hits the Waikato line at pace out on the left wing, before Auckland look to move the ball back inside. Auckland doing a good job of finding the ball before Umaga breaks the line, offloading to Adams.
Auckland go wide again to the left and Rayasi dives into the corner! Has he stayed in? The TMO will have a look.
He's got it! Brilliant finish from the young winger! Umaga to take the kick from the left - and he's got it! Brilliant play all round.
8:52pm: 61 mins - Auckland 28 Waikato 7
TRY!!! Scrum Auckland just inside halfway. Ruru feeds and finds Plummer, who kicks for Nanai in the corner. Nanai knocks the ball down for Trainor, who is clean through, and runs away to score.
Plummer with the kick, but the ball bounces off the post.
8:42pm: 53 mins - Auckland 23 Waikato 7
Auckland get another penalty deep inside the Waikato half, and this time they go for the lineout.
Plummer kicks into the corner, Abel throws and Auckland drive. Faiane runs off the back, but Waiakto win the penalty! Great defence from the Mooloos.
8:33pm: 46 mins - Auckland 23 Waikato 7
Penalty! Waikato penalised for not rolling away, and Auckland want the shot at goal.
Plummer lines up the kick from relatively straight in front, and he fires the kick straight down the middle.
8:31pm: 44 mins - Auckland 20 Waikato 7
Auckland give away a penalty straight away and Waikato go for the lineout, Smith puts the kick right into the corner.
Toby Smith drives at the line, but Akira Ioane turns it over! Auckland counter now with a huge kick from Trainor.
Faiane charges now as Auckland are just metres away once again. Fukofuka turns the ball over and Waikato get rid of the danger for now.
8:28pm: 41 mins - Auckland 20 Waikato 7
We're back after the break. Waikato will kick off to Auckland. Faiane fields the kick and we're away.
8:17pm: HALFTIME - Auckland 20 Waikato 7
TRY!!! Auckland win a penalty as the siren goes in the background and opt for the lineout. They'll have a lineout on the 10m line.
Abel throws, and Auckland try to drive again. Auckland's forwards go right through Waikato and Abel has a double!
Plummer gets the kick this time, and that'll be the end of the first half.
8:14pm: 39 mins - Auckland 13 Waikato 7
TRY!!! Auckland win a penalty after Waikato aren't rolling away at the breakdown. Plummer kicks into the corner and Auckland have a great chance to strike before the break.
Auckland come up with a huge drive and Ioane has the ball at the back. He manages to move it to Abel and Auckland drive over to score!
Plummer lines up the kick, but again he can't hit the target.
8:07pm: 33 mins - Auckland 8 Waikato 7
Auckland penalised for not releasing, and Smith bombs the ball downfield for a lineout. McWhannel takes it and Waikato drive. Auckland turn it over though and look to counter.
Trainor throws a shocking pass and the ball goes out.
8:04pm: 29 mins - Auckland 8 Waikato 7
Auckland steal a Waikato lineout and go wide to Nanai, before he's tackled. Akira Ioane manages to spin out of one tackle, but Waikato's defence keeps Auckland inside their own half.
Auckland surge over halfway through Manu, before giving away a penalty for not releasing.
7:59pm: 24 mins - Auckland 8 Waikato 7
Waikato win a penalty and look to run the ball straight away. Akira Ioane turns the ball over though and Auckland can counter.
Referee has the arm out in Auckland's favour. The ball goes wide to Nanai, who finds Trainor inside him, but the fullback is taken over the sideline. Waikato lineout.
7:56pm: 21 mins - Auckland 8 Waikato 7
Penalty! Auckland have a lineout just out from the 22 as Stratton miscues his clearance. Gibson takes the ball before Auckland look to drive forwards.
They move the ball to the left, before going back up the middle but Waikato give away a penalty right in front of the posts, and Auckland opt for the three.
Plummer lines up the kick, and he's got it.
7:50pm: 15 mins - Auckland 5 Waikato 7
TRY!!! Lineout for Auckland on their 10m line, but they've knocked it on, giving Waikato a scrum in a great position.
Stratton feeds, before getting the ball off the back and trying to run through. Sweeny gets a short ball and attacks the line as Auckland look for the turnover, 5m out. Waikato's forwards try to drive as the referee has the arm out.
The ball goes wide to Dawai and he scores! Waikato hit back straight away.
Smith with the kick, and he gets it! Waikato ahead by two.
7:46pm: 11 mins - Auckland 5 Waikato 0
TRY!!! Auckland lineout and Whetton takes it down. They move the ball to the left to Manu out on the flank. Manu chips over the top and Trainor gathers! He's through and runs away to score the first points of the night.
Plummer lines up the kick, he misses.
7:41pm: 6 mins - Auckland 0 Waikato 0
Waikato's throw from the lineout isn't straight. Auckland scrum. Faiane runs off the first receiver as Auckland look to go forward, but Waikato give away a penalty.
Abel throws from the lineout, as Auckland look for a set piece move, but Fukofuka spills it. Waikato scrum.
7:37pm: 2 mins - Auckland 0 Waikato 0
Waikato take their first lineout and McWhannel takes it. Sweeney tries to run up the middle, but Auckland's defence holds. Waikato look to go wide, but Auckland turn the ball over and clear. The ball's not out though and Waikato counter.
Waikato kick, but Trainor is there at the back to clear the danger again.
7:35pm: KICK OFF - Auckland 0 Waikato 0
Auckland kick off and are penalised straight away for offside. Renata the culprit.
7:30pm
The Auckland weather has held out, and Eden Park sees a modest turnout for their side. Plenty of Waikato fans in attendance, making some noise as the Mooloos run out.
PRE MATCH
After a shocking season in 2017, Auckland appear to have found a new lease under new coach Alama Ieremia, so far unbeaten this year.
Waikato on the other hand are without a win, however have been unlucky, coming agonisingly close to defeating North Harbour last weekend.
Keep an eye out for ex-Wallabies prop Toby Smith, starting in the number one jersey for Waikato.
TEAMS
Auckland : 15. Jordan Trainor, 14. Melani Nanai, 13. Tumua Manu, 12. TJ Faiane, 11. Salesi Rayasi, 10. Harry Plummer, 9. Leon Fukofuka, 8. Akira Ioane, 7. Blake Gibson (c), 6. Dalton Papali'i, 5. Jack Whetton, 4. Fa'atiga Lemalu, 3. Marcel Renata, 2. Robbie Abel, 1. Sam Prattley.
Reserves : 16. Mike Sosene, 17. Jarred Adams, 18. Marco Fepulea'i, 19. Evan Olmstead, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Jacob Umaga, 23. Caleb Clarke.
Waikato : 15. Tyler Campbell, 14. Mosese Dawai, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 12. Dwayne Sweeney (c), 11. Sevu Reece, 10. Fletcher Smith, 9. Jack Stratton, 8. Jordan Manihera, 7. Jahrome Brown, 6. Adam Burn, 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 4. Tim Bond, 3. Joshua Iosefa-Scott, 2. Mike Mayhew, 1. Toby Smith.
Reserves : 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ayden Johnstone, 18. Sosaia Fale, 19. James Tucker, 20. Jono Armstrong, 21. Kylem O'Donnell, 22. Matty Lansdown, 23. Quinn Tupaea.
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