Macilai-Tori gets the ball out wide in space and performs a good step but is tackled a meter from the tryline. Northland recycle the ball but lose it forward for their 11th handling error of the match. Big opportunity lost.

The speed at which the match is being played has suddenly increased after that try. After some end to end stuff, a great tackle on Wharewera leads to a knock on and Northland are on the attack just outside the Manawatu 22m.

Kirikiri spots a tight forward defender and uses his pace to get around him before pinning his ears back for the corner and diving just in time before the defender takes him out. Great try and perhaps it will open the match up.

Number 8 Kirikiri seems to have scored in the corner, TMO called in to check if the player was out.

5min into the second half and we have seen a number of knock on's already. Manawatu attempt a grubber through but Hawkins gets his boot in the way and a lineout is set up. Northland then play the jumper in the air and give away a penalty. Manawatu have a lineout near the Northland 22m.

Emery doing some hard work, getting around the pitch quite a bit. Neither team are able to hold onto the ball through the phases without some sort of error creeping in.

Northland regather the ball from their own kickoff and are immediately on the attack. They earn a penalty after their scrummie was taken out. Hawkins will have an early opportunity to level the score up.

Both teams are back on the park, kickoff seconds away.

Grogans first throw of the lineout goes over the top but they manage to keep possession. They kick for the corner and turns out to be a brilliant once but the hooter sounds and halftime is called.

Northland penalised once again for not releasing, 1min remaining and Manawatu sets up a lineout 35m out from the Northland tryline.