2006 Air New Zealand Cup

2006 Air New Zealand Cup
Tournament format(s)	Round-robin and knockout
Champions	Waikato (1st title)
Matches played	70
Tries scored	374 (5.34 per match)
Top point scorer(s)	Jimmy Gopperth (121)
Top try scorer(s)	Richard Kahui (8)
(Next) 2007 →

The 2006 Air New Zealand Cup was the inaugural season of the Air New Zealand Cup, contested by teams from New Zealand. The season ran from July to October 2006. At the end of the regular season, the top team from Repechage A and B joined with teams from the Top Six entered the quarter-finals, with the winners going through to the semi finals. The winner of each semi final qualified for the final, which was contested between the Waikato and Wellington, with the Waikato winning 37 – 31 to win the first Air New Zealand Cup title.

This season was the first of the expanded competition, which has succeeded the First Division of the National Provincial Championship. It also saw the introduction of four new teams, Hawke's Bay, Counties Manukau, Manawatu and the newly formed Tasman (a merger of Nelson Bays and Marlborough). On 3 June 2006, the Commerce Commission accepted the NZRU proposal of a salary cap for the Air New Zealand Cup. This was mainly so that the talent pool of players could be spread between the 14 rugby unions.

Round one

Table

The top three places in each pool, highlighted in gray, advance to the Top Six in Round Two. Auckland secured the top position at the start of Round Two. Competition points from Round One carry over to Round Two, and teams are seeded according to points total. If necessary, tiebreakers are employed at the end of Rounds One and Two in the following order:

1. The most recent head-to-head result between the tied teams in that season.
2. Difference in overall points scored.
3. Total number of tries scored.
4. Coin flip.

Three teams receive two home fixtures in Round Two:

• The first-place teams in each pool (Auckland in Pool A, Waikato in Pool B).
• The higher-ranked of the two second-place teams (Canterbury, which won a tiebreaker by virtue of a better point differential than North Harbour).

The remaining three teams receive only one home fixture apiece.

Similarly, the top two teams in each repechage pool, based on competition points earned in Round One (with tiebreakers applied as needed), earn two home fixtures in Round Two, with the other teams receiving one apiece. Bay of Plenty and Counties Manukau earned the extra home fixture in Repechage A, while Southland and Taranaki earned this privilege in Repechage B.

Pool A
Pos.	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Auckland	6	5	0	1	195	63	+132	5	25
2	North Harbour	6	5	0	1	142	92	+50	3	23
3	Wellington	6	5	0	1	121	90	+31	1	21
4	Bay of Plenty	6	3	0	3	116	129	-13	1	13
5	Taranaki	6	2	0	4	86	128	-42	1	9
6	Tasman	6	1	0	5	133	163	-30	4	8
7	Manawatu	6	0	0	6	46	174	-128	1	1

Pool B
Pos.	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Waikato	6	5	0	1	187	124	+63	4	24
2	Canterbury (RS)	6	5	0	1	170	87	+93	3	23
3	Otago	6	5	0	1	153	76	+77	3	23
4	Southland	6	2	0	4	88	123	-35	2	10
5	Counties Manukau	6	1	0	5	130	158	-28	5	9
6	Hawke's Bay	6	1	1	4	109	192	-83	2	8
7	Northland	6	1	1	4	104	181	-77	0	6

Key to colours

	Top three teams advance to Top Six.
(RS)	Ranfurly Shield holders

• In the event of a two-team tie on points the ranking of teams is decided by:

(1) the winner of the round robin match between the two provinces; then
(2) highest point difference; then
(3) most tries scored; then
(4) a coin toss.

• In the event of a three-team or more tie on points the rankings of teams is decided by:

(1) the province with the most wins against other tied provinces in the Round Robin; then
(2) if two teams remain tied they shall be ranked according to the criteria listed above, but if more than two teams remain tied, they shall be ranked according to criteria (2) to (4) only.

Regular Season

Week 1

	28 July 2006	Hawke's Bay	0 – 45	Canterbury	McLean Park, Napier
	7:35 pm		Report	Try: Cameron McIntyre (2) Mose Tuiali'i (2) Stephen Brett Campbell Johnstone Con: Ben Blair (6) Pen: Ben Blair	Referee: Paul Honiss

	29 July 2006	Manawatu	10 – 41	Auckland	FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
	2:00 pm	Try: Rob Foreman Con: Graham Smith Pen: Graham Smith	Report	Try: Jamie Helleur (2) Joe Tekori Saimone Taumoepeau Brent Ward Brad Mika Lachie Munro Con: Brent Ward (2) Isa Nacewa	Referee: Keith Brown

	29 July 2006	Counties Manukau	19 – 23	Otago	Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
	4:00 pm	Try: Kristian Ormsby Con: Blair Feeney Pen: Blair Feeney (4)	Report	Try: Callum Bruce Josh Blackie Con: Nick Evans (2) Pen: Nick Evans (3)	Referee: Jonathon White

	29 July 2006	Taranaki	14 – 30	Wellington	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
	6:05 pm	Try: Matt Harvey Pen: Miah Nikora (3)	Report	Try: Jimmy Gopperth Cory Jane Lome Fa'atau Con: Jimmy Gopperth (3) Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (3)	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	30 July 2006	Northland	21 – 36	Southland	ITM Stadium, Whangarei
	2:35 pm	Try: David Holwell Rene Ranger Con: David Holwell Pen: David Holwell (3)	Report	Try: Pehi Te Whare Hoani MacDonald Dion Bates Kane Thompson Con: Blair Stewart (2) Pen: Blair Stewart (4)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	30 July 2006	Tasman	27 – 33	North Harbour	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
	4:35 pm	Try: Kahn Fotuali'i Peter Playford Tristan Moran Con: Ben Gollings (3) Pen: Ben Gollings (2)	Report	Try: Francis Stowers (2) Viliame Waqaseduadua Adrian Donald Tusi Pisi Con: Tusi Pisi (4)	Referee: Lyndon Bray

Bye/s: Bay of Plenty, Waikato

Week 2

	4 August 2006	Wellington	11 – 6	Bay of Plenty	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	7:35 pm	Try: Cory Jane Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (2)	Report	Pen: Murray Williams (2)

	5 August 2006	Northland	11 – 25	Canterbury	ITM Stadium, Whangarei
	2:35 pm	Try: Marshall Millroy Pen: Daniel Bowden (2)	Report	Try: Kevin Senio Isaac Ross Kevin O'Neill Tim Bateman Con: Stephen Brett Pen: Cameron McIntyre	Referee: Jonathon White

	5 August 2006	North Harbour	22 – 13	Taranaki	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
	5:30 pm	Try: James Hinchco Adrian Donald Pen: Luke McAlister (4)	Report	Try: Andrew Hore Con: Miah Nikora Pen: Miah Nikora (2)	Referee: Gary Wise

	5 August 2006	Southland	14 – 23	Waikato	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
	7:35 pm	Try: Iona Sipa Jimmy Cowan Con: Blair Stewart (2)	Report	Try: Sitiveni Sivivatu Stephen Donald Con: Stephen Donald (2) Pen: Stephen Donald (3)	Referee: Chris Pollock

	6 August 2006	Auckland	46 – 6	Tasman	Eden Park, Auckland
	2:35 pm	Try: Doug Howlett (2) Brent Ward Ben Atiga Isa Nacewa David Smith Andrew Blowers Isaia Toeava Con: Brent Ward (3)	Report	Pen: Ben Gollings (2)	Referee: Chris Rooney

	6 August 2006	Otago	37 – 0	Hawke's Bay	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	4:35 pm	Try: Alando Soakai (2) Craig Clare Tom Donnelly Ben Smith Con: Nick Evans (3) Pen: Nick Evans (2)	Report		Referee: Keith Brown

Bye/s: Manawatu, Counties Manukau

Week 3

	11 August 2006	Waikato	36 – 22	Canterbury	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	7:35 pm	Try: Richard Kahui (2) Sitiveni Sivivatu Stephen Donald Liam Messam Con: Stephen Donald (4) Pen: Stephen Donald	Report	Try: Casey Laulala (2) Caleb Ralph Con: Ben Blair (2) Pen: Ben Blair	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	12 August 2006	Tasman	43 – 0	Manawatu	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
	2:35 pm	Try: Robbie Malneek (3) Jonathan Poff Ben Gollings Ti'i Paulo Con: Ben Gollings (5) Pen: Ben Gollings	Report		Referee: Keith Brown

	12 August 2006	Taranaki	3 – 29	Auckland	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
	5:30 pm	Pen: Miah Nikora	Report	Try: Doug Howlett Taniela Moa Sam Tuitupou Joe Rokocoko Con: Brent Ward (3) Pen: Brent Ward	Referee: Chris Pollock

	12 August 2006	Bay of Plenty	7 – 25	North Harbour	Blue Chip Stadium, Mt Maunganui
	7:35 pm	Try: James Afoa Con: Mike Delany	Report	Try: George Pisi Viliame Waqaseduadua Roger Dustow Con: Luke McAlister (2) Pen: Luke McAlister (2)	Referee: Chris White

	13 August 2006	Hawke's Bay	51 – 29	Counties Manukau	McLean Park, Napier
	2:35 pm	Try: Joe Wright Ryan Glover Danny Lee Bryn Evans Tom Symes Lote Raikabula Michael Johnson Con: Aayden Clarke (5) Pen: Aayden Clarke Matt Berquist	Report	Try: Lelia Masaga (2) Troy Nathan Simon Lemalu Con: Blair Feeney (3) Pen: Blair Feeney	Referee: Lyndon Bray

	13 August 2006	Otago	37 – 6	Northland	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	4:35 pm	Try: Chris King Nick Evans Neil Brew Greg Zampach Con: Nick Evans (4) Pen: Nick Evans (3)	Report	Pen: Daniel Bowden (2)	Referee: Paul Honiss

Bye/s: Southland, Wellington

Week 4

	18 August 2006	Canterbury	24 – 7	Southland	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
	7:35 pm	Try: Ben Blair Craig Clarke Con: Cameron McIntyre Pen: Cameron McIntyre (4)	Report	Try: Hale T-Pole Con: Blair Stewart	Referee: Lyndon Bray

	19 August 2006	Manawatu	12 – 18	Taranaki	FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
	12:00 pm	Try: Hayden Triggs Nathan Kemp Con: Ryan Bambry	Report	Try: Laurence Corlett Brendan Haami Con: Miah Nikora Pen: Miah Nikora (2)	Referee: Josh Noonan

	19 August 2006	Otago	24 – 21	Waikato	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	2:00 pm	Try: Josh Blackie Greg Zampach Filipo Levi Con: Nick Evans (3) Pen: Nick Evans	Report	Try: Brendon Leonard Liam Messam Con: Stephen Donald Pen: Stephen Donald (3)	Referee: Gary Wise

	20 August 2006	Counties Manukau	17 – 21	Northland	Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
	12:30 pm	Try: Niva Ta'auso Blair Feeney Con: Blair Feeney (2) Pen: Blair Feeney	Report	Try: Josh Levi David Holwell Jake Paringatai Con: David Holwell (3)	Referee: Chris Pollock

	20 August 2006	Auckland	45 – 27	Bay of Plenty	Eden Park, Auckland
	2:35 pm	Try: Steve Devine (2) David Smith (2) Brent Ward (2) Con: Brent Ward (3) Pen: Brent Ward (2)	Report	Try: Cory Aporo (2) Nili Latu Con: Mike Delany (3) Pen: Mike Delany (2)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	20 August 2006	North Harbour	31 – 16	Wellington	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
	4:35 pm	Try: Anthony Tuitavake George Pisi Viliami Ma'afu Viliame Waqaseduadua Con: Tusi Pisi (4) Pen: Tusi Pisi	Report	Try: Ross Filipo Con: Jimmy Gopperth Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (3)	Referee: Paul Honiss

Bye/s: Tasman, Hawke's Bay

Week 5

	25 August 2006	Southland	8 – 15	Otago	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
	7:35 pm	Try: Clarke Dermody Drop: Blair Stewart	Report	Try: Ben Smith Adam Thomson Con: Nick Evans Pen: Nick Evans	Referee: Jonathon White

	26 August 2006	Bay of Plenty	33 – 15	Manawatu	Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
	2:35 pm	Try: Charles Baxter (2) Jamie Nutbrown Con: Mike Delany (3) Pen: Mike Delany (4)	Report	Try: Nick Crosswell Penalty try Con: Ryan Bambry Pen: Ryan Bambry	Referee: Gary Wise

	26 August 2006	Waikato	23 – 20	Counties Manukau	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	5:30 pm	Try: Mark Burman Roger Randle Sosene Anesi Con: Stephen Donald Pen: Stephen Donald (2)	Report	Try: Taiasina Tuifu'a Siale Piutau Con: Blair Feeney (2) Pen: Blair Feeney (2)	Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	26 August 2006	Wellington	14 – 11	Auckland	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	7:35 pm	Try: Ben Herring Ross Filipo Con: Tamati Ellison (2)	Report	Try: Onosai Tololima-Auva'a Pen: Brent Ward (2)	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	27 August 2006	Taranaki	22 – 15	Tasman	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
	2:35 pm	Try: Lifeimi Mafi Paul Perez Tomasi Soqeta Con: Miah Nikora (2) Pen: Miah Nikora	Report	Try: Kahn Fotuali'i Mark Bright Con: Tim Taylor Pen: Tim Taylor	Referee: Chris Pollock

	27 August 2006	Northland	24 – 24	Hawke's Bay	ITM Stadium, Whangarei
	4:35 pm	Try: Jake Paringatai Hayden Taylor Con: David Holwell Pen: David Holwell (4)	Report	Try: Nathan Mauger (2) Tafai Ioasa Con: Aayden Clarke (3) Pen: Aayden Clarke	Referee: Steve Walsh

Bye/s: Canterbury, North Harbour

Week 6

	1 September 2006	Auckland	23 – 3	North Harbour	Eden Park, Auckland
	7:35 pm	Try: Daniel Braid Chris Heard Con: Brent Ward (2) Pen: Brent Ward (3)	Report	Pen: Tusi Pisi	Referee: Gary Wise

	2 September 2006	Tasman	17 – 23	Bay of Plenty	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
	2:35 pm	Try: Ben Gollings Aaron Kimura Con: Ben Gollings Aaron Kimura Pen: Tim Taylor	Report	Try: Jamie Nutbrown Anthony Tahana Con: Mike Delany (2) Pen: Mike Delany (3)	Referee: Keith Brown

	2 September 2006	Manawatu	3 – 11	Wellington	FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
	5:30 pm	Pen: Graham Smith	Report	Try: Conrad Smith Pen: Tamati Ellison (2)	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	2 September 2006	Canterbury	22 – 17	Otago	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
	7:35 pm	Try: Mose Tuiali'i Campbell Johnstone Cameron McIntyre Con: Ben Blair (2) Pen: Ben Blair	Report	Try: Greg Zampach Josh Blackie Con: Nick Evans (2) Pen: Nick Evans	Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	3 September 2006	Hawke's Bay	23 – 42	Waikato	McLean Park, Napier
	2:35 pm	Try: Tukulua Lokotui Lote Raikabula Nathan Mauger Con: Aayden Clarke Pen: Aayden Clarke Matt Berquist	Report	Try: Stephen Setephano Liam Messam Sione Lauaki Sosene Anesi Willie Ripia Con: David Hill (4) Pen: David Hill (3)	Referee: Matt Stanish

	3 September 2006	Counties Manukau	29 – 8	Southland	Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
	4:35 pm	Try: Ben Meyer (2) Kristian Ormsby (2) Lelia Masaga Con: Blair Feeney (2)	Report	Try: Blair Stewart Pen: Blair Stewart	Referee: Paul Honiss

Bye/s: Northland, Taranaki

Week 7

	8 September 2006	North Harbour	28 – 6	Manawatu	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
	7:35 pm	Try: Anthony Tuitavake (2) Rudi Wulf Nick Williams George Pisi Pen: Tusi Pisi	Report	Pen: Graham Smith (2)	Referee: Jonathon White

	9 September 2006	Waikato	42 – 21	Northland	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	2:35 pm	Try: Richard Kahui (3) Roy Kinikinilau Liam Messam Dwayne Sweeney Con: David Hill (6)	Report	Try: Daniel Bowden David Gibson Con: David Holwell Pen: David Holwell (3)	Referee: Keith Brown

	9 September 2006	Southland	15 – 11	Hawke's Bay	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
	5:30 pm	Pen: Blair Stewart (5)	Report	Try: Danny Lee Pen: Matt Berquist (2)	Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	9 September 2006	Bay of Plenty	20 – 16	Taranaki	Blue Chip Stadium, Mt Maunganui
	7:35 pm	Try: Anthony Tahana Pen: Mike Delany (5)	Report	Try: Scott Waldrom Con: Miah Nikora Pen: Miah Nikora (3)	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	10 September 2006	Canterbury	32 – 16	Counties Manukau	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
	2:35 pm	Try: Scott Hamilton Isaac Ross Stephen Brett Kieran Read Con: Cameron McIntyre (3) Pen: Cameron McIntyre (2)	Report	Try: Andrew van der Heijden Con: Blair Feeney Pen: Blair Feeney (3)	Referee: Chris Pollock

	10 September 2006	Wellington	39 – 25	Tasman	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	4:35 pm	Try: Cory Jane Alby Mathewson Tamati Ellison Tana Umaga Jeremy Thrush Con: Jimmy Gopperth (4) Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (2)	Report	Try: Cory Holdaway James King Peter Playford Con: Tim Taylor (2) Pen: Tim Taylor (2)	Referee: Matt Stanish

Bye/s: Auckland, Otago

Round two

Each team in the competition played three fixtures in this round. In the Top Six, each team played the three teams that it did not play in Round One. Each team in the repechage pools played the other teams in its pool once.

For the teams in the Top Six, competition points carried over from Round One. All Top Six teams advanced to the quarterfinals, with their seedings determined by their positions at the end of Round Two.

In the two repechage pools, competition points did not carry over from Round One. The top team in each pool at the end of Round Two advanced to the quarterfinals. The two repechage winners received the seventh and eighth seeds, determined based on competition points at the end of Round Two.

At the end of Week 9, Auckland, Waikato and North Harbour secured home quarter-finals. Bay of Plenty secured the top spot in Repechage A. In Repechage B, Taranaki dropped out of contention for the top spot.

After defeating Manawatu in Week 10, Bay of Plenty clinched the higher placing of the two repechage quarter-final slots. Also in Week 10, Otago's loss to Wellington placed Otago at the bottom of the Top 6 going into the quarter-finals. The fourth home quarter-final went to Wellington; although Canterbury defeated Auckland, they did not earn the bonus point they needed to pass Wellington on the table. Wellington's victory over Canterbury in Week 8 gave them the advantage in the tiebreaker.

Southland earned the top spot in Repechage B by means of a 19-12 bonus-point loss to Northland, putting them one point ahead of the Taniwha.

The battle for the top overall seed came down to the final match in pool play. Waikato claimed the top seed by defeating North Harbour. Regardless of the Waikato-Harbour result, Auckland was assured of no worse than the second seed they eventually received. Harbour received the third seed.

Table

Top Six
Pos.	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Waikato	9	7	1	1	277	182	+95	6	36
2	Auckland	9	6	1	2	287	119	+168	8	34
3	North Harbour (RS)	9	7	0	2	206	158	+48	3	31
4	Wellington	9	7	1	1	189	165	+24	1	29
5	Canterbury	9	6	0	3	238	156	+82	5	29
6	Otago	9	5	0	4	192	173	+19	4	24

Repechage A
Pos.	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bay of Plenty	3	3	0	0	100	34	+66	2	14
2	Hawke's Bay	3	2	0	1	63	74	-11	1	9
3	Counties Manukau	3	0	1	2	65	93	-28	3	5
4	Manawatu	3	0	1	2	51	78	-27	0	2

Repechage B
Pos.	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	Pts
1	Southland	3	2	0	1	55	50	+5	1	9
2	Northland	3	2	0	1	57	85	-28	0	8
3	Taranaki	3	1	0	2	76	60	+16	3	7
4	Tasman	3	1	0	2	87	80	+7	1	5

Key to colours

	Top team advance to Quarter-finals.
(RS)	Ranfurly Shield holders

Regular Season

Week 8

	15 September 2006	Taranaki	17 – 23	Northland	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
	6:05 pm	Try: Miah Nikora Lifeimi Mafi Michael Tagicakibau Con: Miah Nikora	Report	Try: Dan Goodwin Tony Coughlan Con: David Holwell (2) Pen: David Holwell (3)	Referee: Vinny Munro

	15 September 2006	Hawke's Bay	26 – 10	Manawatu	McLean Park, Napier
	8:05 pm	Try: Danny Lee Israel Dagg Tukulua Lokotui Jacob Kennedy Con: Matt Berquist (2) Aayden Clarke	Report	Try: Leon Lubbe Con: Graham Smith Pen: Graham Smith	Referee: Matt Stanish

	16 September 2006	Southland	23 – 14	Tasman	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
	2:35 pm	Try: Watisoni Lotawa Kendrick Lynn Con: Blair Stewart (2) Pen: Blair Stewart (3)	Report	Try: Robbie Malneek Pen: Ben Gollings (3)	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	16 September 2006	Bay of Plenty	38 – 11	Counties Manukau	Blue Chip Stadium, Mt Maunganui
	5:30 pm	Try: Nili Latu Hayden Reid Aaron Rameka Murray Williams Con: Murray Williams (3) Pen: Murray Williams (4)	Report	Try: James Maher Pen: Blair Feeney Troy Nathan	Referee: Jonathon White

	16 September 2006	Auckland	22 – 22	Waikato	Eden Park, Auckland
	7:35 pm	Try: Kurtis Haiu Saimone Taumoepeau Brad Mika David Smith Con: Ben Atiga	Report	Try: Roy Kinikinilau Dwayne Sweeney Liam Messam Con: David Hill (2) Pen: David Hill	Referee: Chris Pollock

	17 September 2006	North Harbour	28 – 18	Otago	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
	2:35 pm	Try: James Rodley Anthony Tuitavake Nick Williams Con: Tusi Pisi (2) Pen: Tusi Pisi (3)	Report	Try: Neil Brew (2) Con: Nick Evans Pen: Nick Evans (2)	Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	17 September 2006	Wellington	26 – 24	Canterbury	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	4:35 pm	Try: Cory Jane Ma'a Nonu Con: Jimmy Gopperth (2) Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (4)	Report	Try: Stephen Brett Casey Laulala Con: Cameron McIntyre Pen: Cameron McIntyre (3) Drop: Andy Ellis	Referee: Paul Honiss

Week 9

	21 September 2006	Southland	20 – 17	Taranaki	Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill
	7:05 pm	Try: Watisoni Lotawa (2) Con: Blair Stewart (2) Pen: Blair Stewart (2)	Report	Try: Census Johnston Scott Waldrom Con: Miah Nikora Kurt Morath Pen: Miah Nikora	Referee: Gary Wise

	22 September 2006	Bay of Plenty	35 – 7	Hawke's Bay	Blue Chip Stadium, Mt Maunganui
	6:05 pm	Try: Simms Davison Murray Williams Charles Baxter Lance MacDonald Garrick Cowley Con: Murray Williams (2) Pen: Murray Williams (2)	Report	Try: Fakaa'nalau Taunalolo Con: Aayden Clarke	Referee: Chris Pollock

	22 September 2006	Counties Manukau	25 – 25	Manawatu	Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
	8:05 pm	Try: Lelia Masaga Andrew van der Heijden Grant Henson Con: Troy Nathan (2) Pen: Troy Nathan (2)	Report	Try: Francisco Bosch Tane Tu'ipulotu Graham Smith Con: Matty James (2) Pen: Matty James (2)	Referee: Brent Murray

	23 September 2006	Tasman	56 – 15	Northland	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
	2:35 pm	Try: Peter Playford (4) Lucky Mulipola Rico Gear Jonathan Poff Con: Aaron Kimura (6) Pen: Aaron Kimura (3)	Report	Try: Tim Dow Justin Collins Con: David Holwell Pen: David Holwell	Referee: Lyndon Bray

	23 September 2006	Waikato	37 – 21	Wellington	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	5:30 pm	Try: Sitiveni Sivivatu (2) Brendon Leonard Liam Messam Byron Kelleher Con: David Hill (3) Pen: David Hill (2)	Report	Try: Cory Jane Ben Herring Jimmy Gopperth Con: Jimmy Gopperth (3)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	23 September 2006	Auckland	48 – 7	Otago	Eden Park, Auckland
	7:35 pm	Try: Isa Nacewa Taniela Moa Andrew Blowers Isaia Toeava Tasesa Lavea Lachie Munro Con: Brent Ward (4) Ben Atiga (2) Pen: Brent Ward (2)	Report	Try: Greg Zampach Con: Nick Evans	Referee: Paul Honiss

	24 September 2006	Canterbury	17 – 21	North Harbour	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
	4:35 pm	Try: Scott Hamilton Cameron McIntyre Con: Cameron McIntyre (2) Pen: Cameron McIntyre	Report	Try: Viliame Waqaseduadua (2) Rua Tipoki Con: Luke McAlister (3)	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

Week 10

	28 September 2006	Manawatu	16 – 27	Bay of Plenty	FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
	7:05 pm	Try: Francisco Bosch Con: Graham Smith Pen: Matty James (3)	Report	Try: Jamie Nutbrown Warren Smith Cory Aporo Con: Murray Williams (3) Pen: Murray Williams (2)	Referee: Gary Wise

	29 September 2006	Otago	14 – 21	Wellington	Carisbrook, Dunedin
	7:35 pm	Try: Josh Blackie Pen: Nick Evans (3)	Report	Try: Cory Jane Tana Umaga Ma'a Nonu Con: Jimmy Gopperth (3)	Referee: Kelvin Deaker

	30 September 2006	Counties Manukau	29 – 30	Hawke's Bay	Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
	2:35 pm	Try: Nigel Watson Kane Hancy Lance Easton Grant Henson Con: Troy Nathan (3) Pen: Troy Nathan	Report	Try: Daniel Waenga Danny Lee Karl Lowe Con: Matt Berquist (2) Aayden Clarke Pen: Matt Berquist (3)	Referee: Josh Noonan

	30 September 2006	Taranaki	42 – 17	Tasman	Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
	5:30 pm	Try: Paul Perez (2) Tony Penn Census Johnston Asalemo Malo Con: Kurt Morath (4) Pen: Kurt Morath (3)	Report	Try: Lucky Mulipola Rico Gear Con: Aaron Kimura (2) Pen: Aaron Kimura	Referee: Paul Honiss

	30 September 2006	Canterbury	27 – 22	Auckland	Jade Stadium, Christchurch
	7:35 pm	Try: Scott Hamilton Craig Clarke Wyatt Crockett Con: Dan Carter (3) Pen: Dan Carter (2)	Report	Try: Sam Tuitupou Con: Ben Atiga Pen: Ben Atiga (3) Brent Ward (2)	Referee: Steve Walsh

	1 October 2006	Northland	19 – 12	Southland	ITM Stadium, Whangarei
	2:35 pm	Try: Justin Collins Dan Goodwin David Holwell Con: David Holwell (2)	Report	Pen: Blair Stewart (4)	Referee: Lyndon Bray

	1 October 2006	Waikato	31 – 15	North Harbour	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	4:35 pm	Try: Sitiveni Sivivatu (2) Byron Kelleher Richard Kahui Con: Stephen Donald (4) Pen: Stephen Donald	Report	Try: Ngarimu Simpkins Luke McAlister Con: Luke McAlister Pen: Luke McAlister	Referee: Bryce Lawrence

Finals

	Quarter-finals				Semi-finals				Final
	6 October – Wellington
	Wellington	36
					13 October – Auckland
	Canterbury	23
					Auckland	15
	7 October – Auckland
					Wellington	30
	Auckland	46
									21 October – Hamilton
	Bay of Plenty	14
									Waikato	37
	7 October – Hamilton
									Wellington	31
	Waikato	24
					14 October – Hamilton
	Southland	12
					Waikato	44
	8 October – Albany
					Otago	15
	North Harbour	21
	Otago	56

Quarter-finals

	6 October 2006	Wellington	36 – 23	Canterbury	Westpac Stadium, Wellington
	7:35 pm	Try: Jerry Collins (2) Neemia Tialata Conrad Smith Mahonri Schwalger Con: Jimmy Gopperth (4) Drop: Jimmy Gopperth	Report	Try: Michael Paterson Dan Carter Con: Dan Carter (2) Pen: Dan Carter (3)	Referee: Bryce Lawrence

	7 October 2006	Auckland	46 – 14	Bay of Plenty	Eden Park, Auckland
	5:30 pm	Try: Jerome Kaino Doug Howlett Brad Mika Joe Rokocoko Chris Heard Kurtis Haiu Con: Ben Atiga (3) Isa Nacewa (2) Pen: Ben Atiga (2)	Report	Try: Cory Aporo Jamie Nutbrown Con: Murray Williams (2)	Referee: Lyndon Bray

	7 October 2006	Waikato	24 – 12	Southland	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	7:35 pm	Try: Mils Muliaina Aled de Malmanche Sosene Anesi Con: David Hill (3) Pen: David Hill	Report	Try: James Wilson (2) Con: James Wilson	Referee: Steve Walsh

	8 October 2006	North Harbour	21 – 56	Otago	North Harbour Stadium, Albany
	4:35 pm	Try: Rudi Wulf Rua Tipoki Anthony Tuitavake Con: Tusi Pisi (3)	Report	Try: Toby Morland Karne Hesketh Adam Thomson Callum Bruce Matt Saunders Craig Clare James Ryan Con: Nick Evans (4) Callum Bruce (2) Pen: Nick Evans Callum Bruce (2)	Referee: Paul Honiss

Semi-finals

	13 October 2006	Auckland	15 – 30	Wellington	Eden Park, Auckland
	7:35 pm	Try: Isa Nacewa Isaia Toeava Con: Ben Atiga Pen: Ben Atiga	Report	Try: Conrad Smith Tana Umaga Neemia Tialata Jerry Collins Con: Jimmy Gopperth (2) Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (2)	Referee: Paul Honiss

	14 October 2006	Waikato	44 – 15	Otago	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
	7:35 pm	Try: Sosene Anesi (2) Richard Kahui Steven Bates Sitiveni Sivivatu Brendon Leonard Con: David Hill (4) Pen: David Hill (2)	Report	Try: Josh Blackie Tim Boys Con: Nick Evans Pen: Nick Evans	Referee: Bryce Lawrence

Final

Main article: 2006 Air New Zealand Cup Final

21 October 2006 7:35 pm	Waikato	37 – 31	Wellington	Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Referee: Bryce Lawrence
	Try: Byron Kelleher (2) Richard Kahui Brendon Leonard Con: David Hill (4) Pen: David Hill (3)	Report	Try: Ma'a Nonu (2) Tana Umaga Con: Jimmy Gopperth (2) Pen: Jimmy Gopperth (4)

Waikato FB 15 Mils Muliaina RW 14 Sosene Anesi OC 13 Richard Kahui IC 12 David Hill LW 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu FH 10 Stephen Donald SH 9 Byron Kelleher N8 8 Sione Lauaki OF 7 Marty Holah BF 6 Steven Bates (c) RL 5 Keith Robinson LL 4 Jono Gibbes TP 3 Nathan White HK 2 Tom Willis LP 1 Craig West Substitutes: Bn 16 Scott Linklater Bn 17 Aled de Malmanche Bn 18 Toby Lynn Bn 19 Liam Messam Bn 20 Brendon Leonard Bn 21 Dwayne Sweeney Bn 22 Roy Kinikinilau Coach: Warren Gatland

Natal Sharks FB 15 Shannon Paku RW 14 Ma'a Nonu OC 13 Conrad Smith IC 12 Tana Umaga (c) LW 11 Cory Jane FH 10 Jimmy Gopperth SH 9 Piri Weepu N8 8 Rodney So'oialo OF 7 Ben Herring BF 6 Jerry Collins RL 5 Luke Andrews LL 4 Ross Filipo TP 3 John Schwalger HK 2 Mahonri Schwalger LP 1 Joe McDonnell Substitutions: Bn 16 Luke Mahoney Bn 17 Anthony Perenise Bn 18 Jeremy Thrush Bn 19 Chris Masoe Bn 20 Alby Mathewson Bn 21 Miah Nikora Bn 22 Lome Fa'atau Coach: John Plumtree

Statistics

Top ten points scorers

Main article: 2006 Air New Zealand Cup Leading Points Scorer

Player	Team	Total	Points per game													Details
			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
Jimmy Gopperth	Wellington	121	20	6	DNP	11	0	0	14	16	11	6	11	10	16	2 try; 24 con; 20 pen; 1 dg
Nick Evans	Otago	103	13	12	22	9	5	7	DNP	8	2	9	11	5	DNP	1 try; 22 con; 18 pen
Brent Ward	Auckland	93	9	11	9	25	6	13	DNP	0	14	6	DNP	0	DNP	4 try; 17 con; 13 pen

Top ten try scorers

Main article: 2006 Air New Zealand Cup Leading Try Scorer

Player	Team	Total	Tries per game
			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
Richard Kahui	Waikato	8	DNP	0	2	0	DNP	0	3	0	0	1	0	1	1
Sitiveni Sivivatu	Waikato	7	DNP	1	1	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	0	2	2	0	1	0
Peter Playford	Tasman	6	1	0	DNP	DNP	0	0	1	0	4	0	DNP	DNP	DNP
Liam Messam	Waikato	6	DNP	0	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	0
Cory Jane	Wellington	6	1	1	DNP	0	0	0	1	1	1	1	0	0	0
Sosene Anesi	Waikato	5	DNP	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	DNP	1	2	0
Lelia Masaga	Counties Manukau	5	0	DNP	2	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	DNP	DNP	DNP
Viliame Waqaseduadua	North Harbour	5	1	0	1	1	DNP	0	DNP	0	2	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP
Josh Blackie	Otago	5	1	0	0	1	0	1	DNP	0	0	1	0	1	DNP
Anthony Tuitavake	North Harbour	4	0	0	0	1	DNP	0	2	1	0	0	DNP	DNP	DNP