Taranaki have won their third straight match in the National Provincial Championship, perhaps fortuitously.

Waikato have pulled away from Northland for their third NPC victory in their last four matches.

Counties Manukau Heat scamper eight points clear at the top of the FPC Premiership after four rounds.

The Tasman Mako posted fourth straight victory of the NPC season, while Auckland suffer fourth loss.

Round 2 of FPC highlighted by Canterbury just keeping the JJ Stewart Memorial Trophy against Waikato.

There were narrow victories for Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Waikato in the last matches of NPC Round 2.

A hard grafting 22-13 win for the Southland Stags in the southern derby against neighbours Otago.

The 2024 NPC starts this weekend, with seven games played the country and Taranaki the defending champions.