Compelling semi-finals have set up the 2026 Hilux Heartland Championship finals, with defending champions Mid Canterbury to face King Country for the Meads Cup, while South Canterbury and Whanganui will go head-to-head for the Lochore Cup.
King Country turned the tables on North Otago, avenging a one-point loss during the regular season to book their place in the Meads Cup final. That earlier result saw King Country finish below North Otago on the standings, forcing them to travel south for the semi-final.
There was little to separate the sides in the first half, with both crossing for three tries to head into the break locked at 19-all. But King Country took control after halftime, scoring three unanswered tries to open up a 36-19 lead with 20 minutes remaining.
North Otago managed a late response with a try of their own, but couldn’t close the gap as the visitors secured their place in the final, despite King Country receiving two late yellow cards.
Defending champions Mid Canterbury also had to work hard to keep their title defence alive, overcoming a determined Thames Valley side 37-28.
The teams were evenly matched in the early exchanges before Thames Valley received two yellow cards in quick succession. The visitors defended resolutely during that period, but Mid Canterbury made the most of their opportunity to take a 17-9 lead into halftime.
That advantage proved crucial, with the teams trading three tries apiece in the second half. Mid Canterbury did enough to hold on for the win and move one step closer to another Meads Cup title.
In a repeat of last year’s Lochore Cup semi-final, Horowhenua-Kāpiti and Whanganui once again went head-to-head in a match that needed extra time to find a winner.
Playing at home, Horowhenua-Kāpiti made a flying start to lead 19-5 after 20 minutes. Whanganui responded with two tries in the final five minutes of the first half to cut the deficit to just two points at the break.
The visitors edged ahead early in the second spell, before Horowhenua-Kāpiti crossed twice to put themselves in a strong position to close out the match.
But Whanganui weren’t done. After the final hooter, they found a way over the line and nailed the conversion to level the scores at 31-all and force extra time.
Whanganui struck first in the additional period and, after a try to Beniamino Vota, Tevita Asi added what would prove to be a crucial penalty. Horowhenua-Kāpiti hit back with a converted try of their own and had a penalty opportunity to snatch the win, but the attempt missed its mark.
Whanganui centre Alekisio Vakarorogo crossed for a double, taking his career tally to 55 tries and making him the Heartland Championship’s all-time leading try scorer.
Whanganui held on to book their place in the Lochore Cup final, setting up a clash with South Canterbury.
South Canterbury secured a home Lochore Cup final with a 36-26 win over Wairarapa Bush in Timaru. Veteran Willie Wright opened the scoring in the first minute, converting his own try, before two more tries helped the home side take a 19-14 lead into halftime.
Both teams crossed for two tries in the second half, but South Canterbury did enough to hold on for the win.
Wright’s 14-point haul also saw him become the Heartland Championship’s all-time leading points scorer, taking his career tally to 608.
Meads Cup Final
Saturday 17 October
Mid Canterbury vs. King Country
Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton
1.05pm Kick off
Lochore Cup Final
Sunday 18 October
South Canterbury vs. Whanganui
Fraser Park, Timaru
1.05pm Kick off
