Sonny Bill is really starting to make some inroads in his rugby career

The former league star is really starting to prove himself as a potential All Black but Taranaki were the ones to shake things up in their home fixture against Canterbury this afternoon with a 31-20 win. Taranaki's points came from five tries (one each by Ben Souness, Kurt Baker, George Pisi, Jarrod Hoeata, and Beauden Barrett) of which three were converted (two by Willie Ripia and one by Andre Taylor). Canterbury got points from tries by Sean Maitland and Sonny Bill Williams, and two penalties and two conversions by Stephen Brett.

Following that, Wellington beat Hawke's Bay 17-13. Hosea Gear and Tajhon Mailata each scored a try for Wellington, and Lima Sopoaga added a try and a conversion. Hawke's Bay's points came from a try by Kahn Fotuali'i and two penalties and a conversion by Richard Buckman.