Taranaki have come back to beat Bay of Plenty 30-24 in the final match of the provincial rugby round robin at Mount Maunganui.
The Bay scored 4 tries before half-time for a 24-6 lead but Taranaki scored 24 unanswered points including 2 quick tries after the break and the matchwinner with 4 minutes remaining.
Beyond the yet to be decided top four, the final finishing order for the year is Auckland fifth, Waikato sixth, Bay of Plenty remain seventh, Taranaki move up to eighth, Tasman ninth, Otago 10th, Manawatu 11th, North Harbour 12th, Northland 13th and Counties Manukau 14th.
The champions Canterbury are top for now and host fourth-placed Hawke's Bay in Friday night's semi-final while second-placed Wellington welcome third-placed Southland in Saturday night's semi.
Four unions will drop down to a new Division One next year.
