In their final defence of the season, the Magpies got the better of Waikato in a physical and frantic encounter in Napier, with the hosts outlasting the challengers to take a 41-14 win. A second half onslaught from the hosts saw the score line blow out after Waikato got the better of the first half, with the visitors finding themselves on the wrong end of a slew of penalties and, having emptied their bench earlier in the half, fatigue setting in. Before the match even started, Waikato were having troubles as first five-eighth Fletcher Smith pulled up with an injury in warm ups and instead moved to the bench. Then, in the first play of the game, Waikato halfback Xavier Rowe was injured after taking a heavy hit from Hawke’s Bay winger Jonah Lowe. The first play of the game really set the tone for the night. Hawke’s Bay No10 Lincoln McClutchie put up a floating kick-off, allowing time for the chaser to get there as it landed. Roe was the unfortunate one to be underneath it, and was hi