The Canterbury rugby side has beaten Northland 5-3 to sit just two points behind the national provincial competition leader, Wellington, who has yet to play Waikato this weekend.
Meanwhile Auckland's seventh round 25-20 win against Bay of Plenty has come at a cost.
Joe Rokocoko and Daniel Braid have suffered injuries putting them in doubt for next weekend's Ranfurly Shield clash against Wellington.
Bay of Plenty remain third on the points table while Auckland is fifth.
