Otago have upset Waikato 23-19 to take domestic rugby's Ranfurly Shield off the hosts in their final defence of the season.
Otago players celebrate. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
It's the first time Otago have held the Shield since 2013.
Despite the loss Waikato remain first in the second tier Championship and will host Northland in next week's semi-finals, with second placed Otago to host Hawkes Bay.
Auckland have secured top billing and the home advantage in next week's rugby premiership playoffs after beating North Harbour 45-29 at Eden Park.
Ahead 19-15 at the break, Auckland dominated the second half to grab the win which propelled them to the top of the premiership standings and booked a semi-final against Wellington at Eden Park on Saturday.
Defending champions Canterbury, who finished third overall, will face second-placed Tasman on Friday in Nelson in the second premiership semifinal.
In the women's Farah Palmer Cup rugby semi-finals, Canterbury beat Manawatu 31-12 to secure a home premiership final next week.
They'll host Counties-Manukau, who upset second-ranked Waikato 24-14 in Hamilton this afternoon.
In the second tier championship semi-finals, Wellington downed North Harbour 33 to 7 to earn a home final against Otago after they dismissed Hawke's Bay 34-10 in Dunedin.
And in a relegation play-off, Auckland were edged 25-22 by Bay of Plenty and will play next season in the championship division.
