The seventh round of the National Provincial competition has ended with Wellington still unbeaten and top of the leaderboard with 35 points.
The Lions scored another bonus point win against Waikato 45-33 in Wellington on Saturday night.
Canterbury are second with 28 points after a 5-3 win over Northland on Friday night.
Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty share fourth spot with Southland on 20 points just ahead of Auckland with 17.
Canterbury and Bay of Plenty kick off week eight on Thursday in Christchurch.
The two matches on Friday night will see Otago host Taranaki, while Tasman and Southland will meet for the first time in Blenheim.
It's the early kick-off for Hawkes Bay and Waikato at Napier Park on Saturday, while the match of the weekend will be between Auckland and Wellington at Eden Park with the Ranfurly Shield up for grabs.
Wellington hasn't beaten Auckland on home ground since 2006 when they won 30-15 in the semi-finals.
North Harbour and Northland round off week eight at Albany.
