Finalists confirmed in NPC and Heartland competitions

After an exciting weekend of semifinal action, the 2017 finalists have been confirmed across the Men's NPC, Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland Championship.

Canterbury will get the chance to defend their Premiership title at home next week and once again host Tasman in the final.

Canterbury were too strong for North Harbour in their semifinal, winning 35-24 at home. Tasman upset the table-topping Taranki with a thrilling 30-29 victory in New Plymouth.

On Friday night Wellington confirmed they will host the Championship final with a classy 49-21 victory over Northland. They will host Bay of Plenty who beat Otago 48-32 at Tauranga Domain in the other semifinal earlier this afternoon.

In the Farah Palmer Cup, Counties Manukau Heat secured home advantage for next week’s Premiership final with a tense 22-17 semifinal win over Auckland Storm. The Heat will defend their title against Canterbury, who finished strongly over Waikato to record a 60-26 win in the other semifinal.

The Bay of Plenty Volcanix had the weekend off, courtesy of finishing top of the championship table and will host Otago Spirit in the final. The Spirit held off North Harbour Hibiscus 39-12 in Dunedin this afternoon.

Horowhenua Kapiti is set to host the 2017 Meads Cup final in the Heartland Championship, a late penalty securing a 18-17 victory over Buller in their semifinal today. They will come up against defending champions, Wanganui, who beat South Canterbury 29-24 in the other semifinal.

Mid Canterbury were dominant in their 56-22 victory over Poverty Bay and will host the Lochore Cup final next weekend. They will come up against West Coast who beat North Otago 24-14 to progress to the final.

Final venues, dates and kick-off times tbc

Men's NPC Premiership Final
Saturday 28 October
Canterbury v Tasman at AMI Stadium

Men's NPC Championship Final
Friday 27 October
Wellington v Bay of Plenty at Westpac Stadium

Farah Palmer Cup Premiership Final
Counties Manukau v Canterbury

Farah Palmer Cup Championship Final
Bay of Plenty v Otago

Heartland Championship – Meads Cup Final
Saturday 28 October
Horowhenua Kapiti v Wanganui

Heartland Championship – Lochore Cup Final
Sunday 29 October
Mid Canterbury v West Coast