# 1977 National Provincial Championship

The 1977 season was the second year of the National Provincial Championship (NPC), a provincial rugby union competition in New Zealand. Canterbury were the winners of Division 1, thus claiming the title of national champions.

## Division 1

* Relegated to Division Two
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | Pts |
| 1 | Canterbury | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 190 | 81 | +109 | 30 | 20 |
| 2 | Counties | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 254 | 94 | +160 | 42 | 16 |
| 3 | Auckland | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 166 | 164 | +2 | 20 | 12 |
| 4 | Manawatu | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 152 | 95 | +57 | 20 | 12 |
| 5 | Hawke's Bay | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 160 | 174 | −14 | 20 | 10 |
| 6 | Taranaki | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 142 | 123 | +19 | 14 | 10 |
| 7 | Wellington | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 155 | 146 | +9 | 25 | 10 |
| 8 | Otago | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 149 | 171 | −22 | 17 | 8 |
| 9 | Southland | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 131 | 132 | −1 | 13 | 8 |
| 10 | Bay of Plenty | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 144 | 283 | −139 | 18 | 4 |
| 11 | Marlborough | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 90 | 270 | −180 | 12 | 0 |

### Results
#### May

* 25 May 1977
| Marlborough | 3–12 | Canterbury |
| Pen: Ray Gordon (1/4) | | Try: Scott Cartwright Andy Jefferd Alex Wyllie Con: Richard Wilson (0/3) Pen: Richard Wilson (0/4) |
* Lansdowne Park, Blenheim Referee: Graeme Harrison (Wellington)
* 28 May 1977
| Wellington | 15–12 | Manawatu |
| Try: Warwick Procter Paul Quinn Con: Richard Cleland (2/2) Pen: Richard Cleland (1/1) | | Try: Mark Donaldson Brian Morris Con: Kenneth Granger (2/2) |
* Athletic Park, Wellington
* 31 May 1977
| Auckland | 24–19 | Hawke's Bay |
| Try: Mike Richards Maurice Trapp Con: Steve Watt (2/2) Pen: Steve Watt (4/4) | | Try: Bruce Dunstan Ken Taylor Con: Hepa Paewai (1/2) Pen: Hepa Paewai (2/2) Drop: Hepa Paewai (1/1) |
* Eden Park, Auckland

#### June

* 6 June 1977
| Marlborough | 12–27 | Wellington |
| Try: Lucky Macdonald Con: Kevin Sutherland (1/1) Pen: Kevin Sutherland (2/2) | | Try: Bernie Fraser (2) Ian May Clive Currie Con: Richard Cleland (4/4) Drop: John Dougan (1/1) |
* Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
* 14 June 1977
| Taranaki | 18–10 | Wellington |
| Try: Ross Fraser John O'Sullivan Con: Stephen Davidson (2/2) Pen: Stephen Davidson (2/2) | | Try: Andy Leslie Con: Clive Currie (0/1) Pen: Clive Currie (2/2) |
* Hicks Park, Hawera
* 25 June 1977
| Counties | 24–3 | Hawke's Bay |
| Try: Patrick Yates Alan Dawson Mark Codlin Andy Dalton Con: Mark Codlin (1/3) Pen: Mark Codlin (2/2) | | Pen: Murray Tocker (1/1) |
* Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe

#### July

* 2 July 1977
| Canterbury | 4–3 | Manawatu |
| Try: John Ashworth Con: Richard Wilson (0/1) | | Pen: Doug Rollerson (1/1) |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch
* 5 July 1977
| Auckland | 10–14 | Counties |
| Try: Andy Haden Con: Barry Riley (0/1) Pen: Barry Riley (1/1) Drop: Perry Parlane (1/1) | | Try: Peter Goldsmith Peter Clotworthy Con: Mark Codlin (0/2) Pen: Mark Codlin (1/1) Buff Milner (1/1) |
* Eden Park, Auckland
* 16 July 1977
| Manawatu | 21–22 | Auckland |
| Try: Paul Broederlow Gary Knight Con: Mike Banks (2/2) Pen: Mike Banks (3/3) | | Try: Tim Twigden (2) Bryan Williams Con: Steve Watt (2/2) Pen: Steve Watt (2/2) |
* Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North
* 20 July 1977
| Taranaki | 37–4 | Marlborough |
| Try: Stephen Davidson Peter White Peter Fleming Graham Mourie Ross Fraser Con: Stephen Davidson (4/5) Pen: Stephen Davidson (3/3) | | Try: Brian Ford Con: Steve Marfell (0/1) |
* Rugby Park, New Plymouth
* 23 July 1977
| Bay of Plenty | 29–20 | Marlborough |
| Try: Alan McNaughton Peter Kingi Eddie Stokes Greg Rowlands Tony Compton Con: Greg Rowlands (3/5) Drop: John Brake (1/1) | | Try: Brian Ford Mark Best Ross Rendel Con: Steve Marfell (1/1) Pen: Steve Marfell (1/1) Drop: Brian Hunter (1/1) |
* Rugby Park, Rotorua
* 27 July 1977
| Bay of Plenty | 0–22 | Manawatu |
| | | Try: Kenneth Granger Murray Watts Mark Wright Con: Mike Banks (2/3) Pen: Mike Banks (2/2) |
* Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

#### August

* 2 August 1977
| Southland | 22–7 | Marlborough |
| Try: Steven Pokere Sam Anderson Con: Brian McKechnie (1/2) Pen: Brian McKechnie (3/3) Jeffrey Gardiner (1/1) | | Try: Bill Stephenson Con: Kevin Sutherland (0/1) Pen: Kevin Sutherland (1/1) |
* Rugby Park, Invercargill
* 6 August 1977
| Hawke's Bay | 25–17 | Manawatu |
| Try: Ricky Allen Hepa Paewai Graham Wiig Con: Richard Cox (2/2) Pen: Richard Cox (2/2) Drop: Richard Cox (1/1) | | Try: Kenneth Granger Murray Watts George Hawkins Con: Mike Banks (1/3) Pen: Mike Banks (1/1) |
* McLean Park, Napier
* 6 August 1977
| Marlborough | 7–51 | Counties |
| Try: Mark Best Con: Steve Marfell (0/1) Pen: Steve Marfell (1/1) | | Try: Bob Lendrum (2) Richard Palmer (2) Bill Cummings Buff Milner Roy Craig Bruce Robertson Robert Kururangi Con: John Hughes (4/7) Bob Lendrum (2/2) Pen: John Hughes (1/1) |
* Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
* 6 August 1977
| Otago | 4–13 | Southland |
| Try: Simon Thompson Con: Bevan Wilson (0/1) | | Try: Steven Pokere Evan Maclellan Con: Brian McKechnie (1/2) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1) |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin
* 17 August 1977
| Hawke's Bay | 19–32 | Canterbury |
| Try: Murray Smith Tim Carter Con: Richard Cox (1/2) Pen: Richard Cox (3/3) | | Try: Murray McEwan (2) Randall Scott Richard Wilson Con: Richard Wilson (2/2) Pen: Richard Wilson (2/2) Drop: Doug Bruce (2/2) |
* Nelson Park, Hastings
* 18 August 1977
| Marlborough | 17–25 | Otago |
| Try: Ian McAlpine Steve Marfell Con: Kevin Sutherland (0/2) Pen: Kevin Sutherland (2/2) Drop: Brian Hunter (1/1) | | Try: Robert Roy Simon Thompson Bevan Wilson Con: Bevan Wilson (2/3) Pen: Bevan Wilson (2/2) |
* Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
* 20 August 1977
| Counties | 4–9 | Canterbury |
| Try: Alan Dawson Con: Mark Codlin (0/1) | | Pen: Richard Wilson (2/2) Drop: Richard Wilson (1/1) |
* Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe
* 20 August 1977
| Taranaki | 13–6 | Hawke's Bay |
| Try: Peter White Con: Stephen Davidson (0/1) Pen: Stephen Davidson (3/3) | | Try: Murray Smith Con: Murray Tocker (1/1) |
* Rugby Park, New Plymouth
* 20 August 1977
| Wellington | 17–13 | Otago |
| Try: Paul Quinn (2) Warwick Procter Con: Richard Cleland (1/3) Pen: Richard Cleland (1/1) | | Try: Tim Burcher Con: Bevan Wilson (0/1) Pen: Bevan Wilson (3/3) |
* Athletic Park, Wellington
* 20 August 1977
| Southland | 26–6 | Bay of Plenty |
| Try: Brian McKechnie (2) Sam Anderson Con: Brian McKechnie (1/3) Pen: Brian McKechnie (3/3) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1) | | Pen: Greg Rowlands (2/2) |
* Rugby Park, Invercargill
* 24 August 1977
| Otago | 33–30 | Bay of Plenty |
| Try: Simon Thompson Graeme Elvin Wayne Graham Con: Bevan Wilson (0/3) Pen: Bevan Wilson (6/6) Drop: Lyn Jaffray (1/1) | | Try: Graeme Moore Mark Taylor Mike Connor Jim Helmbright Con: John Brake (4/4) Pen: John Brake (1/1) Greg Rowlands (1/1) |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin
* 24 August 1977
| Southland | 6–13 | Auckland |
| Pen: Brian McKechnie (2/2) | | Try: Tua Saseve Con: Steve Watt (0/1) Pen: Steve Watt (3/3) |
* Rugby Park, Invercargill
* 27 August 1977
| Manawatu | 15–10 | Counties |
| Try: Jim Carroll Con: Doug Rollerson (1/1) Pen: Mike Banks (2/2) Drop: Doug Rollerson (1/2) | | Try: Peter Clotworthy Con: Bob Lendrum (0/1) Pen: Bob Lendrum (2/2) |
* Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Colin Gregan (Waikato)
* 27 August 1977
| Wellington | 6–10 | Hawke's Bay |
| Try: Paul Quinn Con: Richard Cleland (1/1) | | Try: Murray Tocker Con: Roger Whinham (0/1) Pen: Roger Whinham (2/2) |
* Athletic Park, Wellington
* 27 August 1977
| Canterbury | 30–12 | Bay of Plenty |
| Try: Shane Gibbons (2) David Thompson Graeme Higginson John Phillips Con: Richard Wilson (2/2) Pen: Richard Wilson (2/2) | | Try: Graham Moore Eddie Stokes Con: Greg Rowlands (2/2) |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch
* 27 August 1977
| Otago | 18–24 | Auckland |
| Try: Bryan Williams (2) Colin Farrell Con: Steve Watt (1/1) Pen: Steve Watt (3/3) Drop: Mike Richards (1/1) | | Try: Peter McLeod Con: Bevan Wilson (1/1) Pen: Bevan Wilson (4/4) |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin
* 31 August 1977
| Southland | 10–13 | Canterbury |
| Try: Dave Shanks Con: Brian McKechnie (0/1) Pen: Brian McKechnie (2/2) | | Try: Shane Gibbons Con: Richard Wilson (0/1) Pen: Richard Wilson (1/1) Drop: Doug Bruce (2/2) |
* Rugby Park, Invercargill

#### September

* 3 September 1977
| Counties | 36–3 | Bay of Plenty |
| Try: Mark Codlin Buff Milner Robert Kururangi Richard Palmer Henk Habraken Bob Lendrum Con: Mark Codlin (3/6) Pen: Mark Codlin (3/3) | | Pen: Greg Rowlands (1/1) |
* Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe
* 3 September 1977
| Manawatu | 21–7 | Marlborough |
| Try: Kevin Maharey (2) John Callesen Con: Doug Rollerson (0/3) Pen: Doug Rollerson (3/3) | | Try: Brian Ford Con: Brian Hunter (0/1) Drop: Brian Hunter (1/1) |
* Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Peter McDavitt (Wellington)
* 3 September 1977
| Wellington | 11–3 | Southland |
| Try: Brendan Gard'ner Warwick Procter Con: Brian Cederwall (0/2) Drop: John Dougan (1/1) | | Pen: Brian McKechnie (1/1) |
* Athletic Park, Wellington
* 3 September 1977
| Otago | 9–14 | Canterbury |
| Try: Tim Burcher Con: Bevan Wilson (1/1) Pen: Bevan Wilson (1/1) | | Try: Shane Gibbons Randall Scott Richard Wilson Con: Richard Wilson (1/3) |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin
* 7 September 1977
| Bay of Plenty | 6–19 | Taranaki |
| Pen: Greg Rowlands (2/2) | | Try: Paul Martin Wally Mahura Con: Stephen Davidson (1/2) Pen: Stephen Davidson (3/3) |
* Rugby Park, Rotorua
* 7 September 1977
| Manawatu | 18–6 | Southland |
| Try: Alan Innes Kenneth Granger John Loveday Con: Doug Rollerson (0/3) Pen: Doug Rollerson (1/1) Drop: Doug Rollerson (1/1) | | Pen: Brian McKechnie (1/1) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1) |
* Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 11,000 Referee: Keith Lawrence (Bay of Plenty)
* 10 September 1977
| Taranaki | 12–21 | Counties |
| Pen: Stephen Davidson (4/4) | | Try: Mark Codlin Bob Lendrum Con: Mark Codlin (2/2) Pen: Mark Codlin (2/2) |
* Rugby Park, New Plymouth
* 11 September 1977
| Hawke's Bay | 23–16 | Southland |
| Try: Robbie Stuart (2) Pat Ryan Con: Richard Cox (1/3) Pen: Richard Cox (3/3) | | Try: Brian McKechnie Con: Brian McKechnie (0/1) Pen: Brian McKechnie (2/2) Drop: Brian McKechnie (1/1) Graeme Anderson (1/1) |
* McLean Park, Napier
* 11 September 1977
| Canterbury | 17–0 | Wellington |
| Try: Alex Wyllie Murray McEwan Terry Mitchell Con: Richard Wilson (1/1) Drop: Richard Wilson (1/1) | | |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch
* 14 September 1977
| Counties | 24–9 | Southland |
| Try: Mike Sherbourne Mac McCallion Graeme Taylor Henk Habraken Con: Mark Codlin (1/4) Pen: Mark Codlin (1/1) Drop: Mark Codlin (1/1) | | Try: Brian McKechnie Con: Brian McKechnie (1/1) Pen: Brian McKechnie (1/1) |
* Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe
* 14 September 1977
| Bay of Plenty | 9–54 | Auckland |
| Try: Eddie Stokes Mark Taylor Roger Dallison Con: Greg Rowlands (3/3) Pen: Greg Rowlands (2/2) | | Try: Greg Thaggard Con: Steve Watt (1/1) Pen: Steve Watt (2/2) |
* Rugby Park, Rotorua
* 17 September 1977
| Auckland | 9–6 | Wellington |
| Pen: Steve Watt (3/3) | | Pen: Brian Cederwall (2/2) |
* Eden Park, Auckland
* 17 September 1977
| Hawke's Bay | 3–8 | Otago |
| Pen: Richard Cox (1/1) | | Try: Kenneth Mitchell (2) Con: Bevan Wilson (0/2) |
* McLean Park, Napier
* 17 September 1977
| Manawatu | 6–3 | Taranaki |
| Try: Kevin Maharey Con: Doug Rollerson (1/1) | | Pen: Stephen Davidson (1/1) |
* Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 22,000 Referee: John Pring (Auckland)
* 21 September 1977
| Counties | 27–17 | Otago |
| Try: John Spiers Robert Kururangi Richard Palmer Bruce Robertson Henk Habraken Con: Mark Codlin (2/5) Pen: Mark Codlin (1/1) | | Try: Barry Reeve Ken Mitchell Con: Bevan Wilson (0/2) Pen: Bevan Wilson (3/3) |
* Pukekohe Stadium, Pukekohe
* 21 September 1977
| Canterbury | 22–3 | Taranaki |
| Try: Alex Wyllie Mark Romans Alwyn Harvey Randall Scott Con: Richard Wilson (3/4) | | Pen: Stephen Davidson (1/1) |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch
* 24 September 1977
| Bay of Plenty | 9–54 | Wellington |
| Pen: Greg Rowlands (3/3) | | Try: Warwick Procter (2) Paul Quinn (3) Stu Wilson (2) Brian Cederwall Murray Mexted Andy Leslie Bernie Fraser Con: Brian Cederwall (5/11) |
* Rugby Park, Rotorua
* 24 September 1977
| Manawatu | 17–3 | Otago |
| Try: Hugh Blair John Callesen Con: Doug Rollerson (0/2) Pen: Doug Rollerson (2/2) Drop: Jim Carroll (1/1) | | Pen: Bevan Wilson (1/1) |
* Showgrounds Oval, Palmerston North Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Alan Taylor (Canterbury)
* 24 September 1977
| Canterbury | 37–18 | Auckland |
| Try: Barry Thompson (2) Shane Gibbons Lyn Davis Murray McEwan Scott Cartwright Con: Richard Wilson (5/6) Pen: Richard Wilson (1/1) | | Try: Bryan Williams Colin Farrell Terry Morrison Bruce Gemmell Con: Colin Farrell (1/4) |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch
* 28 September 1977
| Otago | 19–9 | Taranaki |
| Try: Merv Jaffray Simon Thompson Barry Reeve Con: Bevan Wilson (2/3) Pen: Bevan Wilson (1/1) | | Try: Tony Brown Con: Stephen Davidson (1/1) Pen: Stephen Davidson (1/1) |
* Carisbrook, Dunedin

#### October

* 1 October 1977
| Auckland | 25–4 | Marlborough |
| Try: Bryan Williams (2) Greg Thaggard Andy Haden Stu Conn Con: Steve Watt (1/5) Pen: Steve Watt (1/1) | | Try: Ross Rendel Con: Steve Marfell (0/1) |
* Eden Park, Auckland
* 1 October 1977
| Hawke's Bay | 31–25 | Bay of Plenty |
| Try: Murray Tocker Pat Ryan James Halbert Robbie Stuart Con: Richard Cox (3/4) Pen: Richard Cox (3/3) | | Try: Eddie Stokes (2) Mike Connor Roger Dallison Con: Greg Rowlands (2/4) Pen: Greg Rowlands (1/1) |
* McLean Park, Napier
* 1 October 1977
| Wellington | 43–9 | Counties |
| Try: Warwick Procter Con: Brian Cederwall (1/1) Pen: Brian Cederwall (1/1) | | Try: Robert Kururangi Bruce Robertson Alan Dawson Richard Palmer Graeme Taylor Peter Williams Con: Mark Codlin (3/5) Buff Milner (1/1) Pen: Bob Lendrum (1/1) |
* Athletic Park, Wellington

## Division 2 (North Island)

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | Pts |
| 1 | North Auckland | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 238 | 32 | +206 | 40 | 16 |
| 2 | Waikato | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 203 | 70 | +133 | 29 | 12 |
| 3 | Poverty Bay | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 132 | 101 | +31 | 17 | 11 |
| 4 | Wanganui | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 160 | 134 | +26 | 24 | 11 |
| 5 | Wairarapa Bush | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 90 | 79 | +11 | 10 | 8 |
| 6 | King Country | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 75 | 149 | −74 | 10 | 6 |
| 7 | Thames Valley | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 99 | 158 | −59 | 14 | 5 |
| 8 | East Coast | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 74 | 203 | −129 | 12 | 3 |
| 9 | Horowhenua | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 48 | 193 | −145 | 6 | 0 |

### Results
#### May

* 7 May 1977
| Horowhenua | 11–17 | King Country |
| Try: Mike Nutting Midge O'Donnell Con: Michael Brodie (0/1) Pen: Michael Brodie (1/1) | | Try: Murray Kidd (2) Graham Tibby Con: Sam Pye (1/3) Pen: Maraku Cribb (1/1) |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 10 May 1977
| Wairarapa Bush | 13–9 | King Country |
| Try: Neville Taylor Con: Neil Kjestrup (0/1) Pen: Neil Kjestrup (2/2) | | Try: Barry Donovan Con: Maraku Cribb (1/1) Pen: Maraku Cribb (1/1) |
* Rugby Park, Pahiatua
* 21 May 1977
| King Country | 4–13 | Wanganui |
| Try: Barry Donovan Con: Maraku Cribb (0/1) | | Try: Murdoch McKenzie Con: Francis Hill (0/1) Pen: Francis Hill (3/3) |
* Taumarunui Domain, Taumarunui

#### June

* 6 June 1977
| Poverty Bay | 23–18 | East Coast |
| Try: Kevin Gaukrodger Jody Walters Charlie Keelan Con: Willie Nikora (1/3) Pen: Willie Nikora (3/3) | | Try: Boydie Donald Ray Falcon Marty Charteris Con: Terry Roberts (3/3) |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 25 June 1977
| King Country | 10–6 | Thames Valley |
| Try: Murray Kidd Con: James Poutu (0/1) Pen: James Poutu (1/1) John Wereta (1/1) | | Pen: Graham Bax (2/2) |
* Island Reserve, Ōtorohanga
* 25 June 1977
| Horowhenua | 7–28 | Wanganui |
| Try: Robbie Puklowski Con: Maihi Marino (0/1) Pen: Maihi Marino (1/1) | | Try: Murdoch McKenzie Larry Graham Trevor Olney Rob Manson Con: Peter Te Huna (2/3) Murdoch McKenzie (1/1) Pen: Peter Te Huna (1/1) Murdoch McKenzie (1/1) |
* Levin Domain, Levin

#### July

* 2 July 1977
| North Auckland | 42–0 | Thames Valley |
| Try: Eddie Dunn Joe Pilcher Phil Halse Charles Going Peter Sloane Joe Morgan David Haynes Con: Arnold Morgan (4/7) Pen: Arnold Morgan (2/2) | | |
* Okara Park, Whangarei
* 14 July 1977
| Poverty Bay | 23–4 | Horowhenua |
| Try: Graeme Torrie (2) Brett Sherriff Con: Wayne Muir (1/3) Pen: Wayne Muir (2/2) Graeme Torrie (1/1) | | Try: Jock Free Con: Keith McCreedy (0/1) |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 16 July 1977
| East Coast | 16–15 | Horowhenua |
| Try: Wilson Walker (2) Wayne Truman Con: Lance Rickard (2/3) | | Pen: Keith McCreedy (5/5) |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 16 July 1977
| Poverty Bay | 21–3 | King Country |
| Try: Lawrie Knight (2) Graeme Torrie Paul Tocker Con: Willie Nikora (1/4) Pen: Willie Nikora (1/1) | | Con: John Lang (1/1) |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 19 July 1977
| Thames Valley | 16–4 | Horowhenua |
| Try: Graham Bax (2) Donald George McMillan Con: Colin Barlow (2/3) | | Try: Paul Lucas Martin Con: Keith McCreedy (0/1) |
* Rugby Park, Waihi
* 19 July 1977
| East Coast | 10–17 | King Country |
| Try: Wilson Walker Con: Terry Roberts (0/1) Pen: Terry Roberts (2/2) | | Try: Murray Kidd (2) Don Milham Con: John Lang (1/3) Pen: John Lang (1/1) |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 31 July 1977
| Wanganui | 16–6 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Trevor Olney Bob Barrell Con: Bob Barrell (1/2) Pen: Bob Barrell (2/2) | | Try: Hona Huriwai Con: Neil Kjestrup (1/1) |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui

#### August

* 6 August 1977
| East Coast | 0–28 | Wairarapa Bush |
| | | Try: Ritchie Robertson Jimmy Cotter Bruce Patrick Con: Neil Kjestrup (2/3) Pen: Neil Kjestrup (3/3) Drop: Jimmy Cotter (1/1) |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 9 August 1977
| Thames Valley | 22–12 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Brian Duggan Chris Ellis Don McMillan Con: Colin Barlow (2/3) Pen: Colin Barlow (2/2) | | Try: Ritchie Robertson Con: Tony Brown (1/1) Pen: Tony Brown (2/2) |
* Paeroa Domain, Paeroa
* 11 August 1977
| Waikato | 28–9 | East Coast |
| Try: Thomas Hiriaki (3) Trevor Irwin John O'Rourke Con: Trevor Irwin (1/5) Pen: Trevor Irwin (2/2) | | Try: Chris Waru Con: Terry Roberts (1/1) Pen: Terry Roberts (1/1) |
* Rugby Park, Hamilton
* 14 August 1977
| North Auckland | 51–7 | East Coast |
| Try: David Haynes (2) Alan Martin (2) Lloyd Roberts (2) Steve Griffin Phil Halse Eddie Dunn Mike Gunson Con: Eddie Dunn (3/9) Mike Gunson (1/1) Pen: Mike Gunson (1/1) | | Try: John Maddever Con: Terry Roberts (0/1) Pen: Terry Roberts (1/1) |
* Okara Park, Whangarei
* 20 August 1977
| Poverty Bay | 20–11 | Wairarapa Bush |
| Try: Kevin Gaukrodger Paul Tocker Con: Wayne Muir (0/2) Pen: Wayne Muir (4/4) | | Try: Bill Rowlands Dallas Spowart Con: Jimmy Cotter (0/2) Pen: Jimmy Cotter (1/1) |
* Rugby Park, Gisborne
* 20 August 1977
| Waikato | 59–12 | King Country |
| Try: John O'Rourke (4) Paul Anderson (2) Dick Myers Matt Deane Con: Trevor Irwin (6/8) Pen: Trevor Irwin (5/5) | | Try: Laurie Sands Con: John Lang (1/1) Pen: John Lang (2/2) |
* Rugby Park, Hamilton
* 20 August 1977
| East Coast | 10–10 | Thames Valley |
| Try: Boydie Donald Peter McGrannachan Con: Terry Roberts (1/2) | | Try: Tony Jackson Con: Colin Barlow (0/1) Pen: Colin Barlow (2/2) |
* Whakarua Park, Ruatoria
* 27 August 1977
| Thames Valley | 9–19 | Waikato |
| Try: Miah Melsom Matt Deane Con: Trevor Irwin (2/2) Drop: Ross McGlashan (1/1) | | Try: Reg Hennessy Con: Allen Fisher (1/1) Pen: Allen Fisher (1/1) |
* Boyd Park, Te Aroha
* 27 August 1977
| Wanganui | 15–15 | Poverty Bay |
| Try: Bruce Middleton Rob Manson Con: Murdoch McKenzie (2/2) Pen: Peter Te Huna (1/1) | | Pen: Laurie Holmes (4/4) Drop: Graeme Thompson (1/1) |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
* 27 August 1977
| Wairarapa Bush | 6–0 | Horowhenua |
| Pen: Neil Kjestrup (2/2) | | |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 31 August 1977
| North Auckland | 52–6 | Wanganui |
| Try: Sid Going (2) Joe Pilcher (2) Maihi Mahanga (2) Charles Going Toni Waaka Harley Sowman David Haynes Wuzz Phillips Con: Mike Gunson (4/11) | | Pen: Murdoch McKenzie (2/2) |
* Central Ground, Kaikohe

#### September

* 3 September 1977
| Waikato | 21–11 | Wanganui |
* Rugby Park, Hamilton
* 3 September 1977
| Horowhenua | 0–36 | North Auckland |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 6 September 1977
| Wairarapa Bush | 7–9 | North Auckland |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 8 September 1977
| Horowhenua | 7–51 | Waikato |
* Levin Domain, Levin
* 10 September 1977
| King Country | 3–16 | North Auckland |
| Pen: Sam Pye (1/1) | | |
* Turangitukua Park, Tūrangi
* 10 September 1977
| Thames Valley | 11–21 | Poverty Bay |
* Boyd Park, Te Aroha
* 10 September 1977
| Wanganui | 31–4 | East Coast |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
* 10 September 1977
| Wairarapa Bush | 7–3 | Waikato |
* Memorial Park, Masterton
* 17 September 1977
| Waikato | 16–6 | Poverty Bay |
* Rugby Park, Hamilton
* 10 September 1977
| Wanganui | 40–25 | Thames Valley |
* Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
* 21 September 1977
| North Auckland | 23–3 | Poverty Bay |
* Okara Park, Whangarei
* 24 September 1977
| North Auckland | 9–6 | Waikato |
* Okara Park, Whangarei

## Division 2 (South Island)

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | Pts |
| 1 | South Canterbury | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 21 | +90 | 17 | 10 |
| 2 | Mid Canterbury | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 87 | 36 | +51 | 15 | 8 |
| 3 | Nelson Bays | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 56 | 63 | −7 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | West Coast | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 81 | −16 | 9 | 4 |
| 5 | North Otago | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 43 | 99 | −56 | 5 | 2 |
| 6 | Buller | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 80 | −62 | 2 | 0 |

## Promotion/Relegation

Bay of Plenty and Marlborough finished in the bottom two of Division 1.
The winners of Division 2 North, North Auckland, were automatically promoted to Division 1; Bay of Plenty were relegated, just one season after they won the National Championship.
The winners of Division 2 South, South Canterbury, played Marlborough and won 13–9 to earn promotion to Division 1; Marlborough were relegated to Division 2.

## Citations

* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Howitt & McDonald 1977, pp. 99–101.
* ↑ Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 88.
* ↑ Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 89.
* ↑ Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 90.
* ↑ Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 91.
* ↑ Howitt & McDonald 1977, p. 93.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Howitt & McDonald 1977, pp. 102–103.