There's a see-sawing Ranfurly Shield match going on under the roof in Dunedin

North Harbour took a two-tries-to-one lead after the first quarter of their showdown with Otago.

The Shield holders opened the scoring in the second minute ... but Harbour replied twice before the 20-minute mark, including an intercept to departing test wing Mark Tele'a.

Then the hosts hit back to level the scores again at 14-all on the half-hour mark ... before hooker Liam Coltman crossed from a maul on his 100th game, just before halftime.

At the break, Otago lead 21-14.



To today's opening women's Farah Palmer Cup Premiership semifinal, in Christchurch, where Canterbury have taken a 17-7 lead over the Manawatu Cyclones after 20 minutes.

Top-of-the-table Waikato host the Auckland Storm in Hamilton in the other semi shortly.

NPC COVERAGE WITH NZ SAFETY BLACKWOODS. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS