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Macklan Robertson is looking to steer Sumner towards a deep finals run after playing a pivotal role in their 31-24 win over third-placed Lincoln University on Saturday.
The upset victory lifted Sumner to ninth on the Metro Premier table, keeping them firmly in finals contention with three games remaining in the round robin.
The win also saw Sumner claim the historic DCL Shield which the holder must put on the line in every home game of the season.
Sumner are now level on 17 points with eighth-placed Belfast, with only points differential separating the two sides.
At the other end of the table, the competition remains just as tight, with only one point separating leaders University of Canterbury from fourth-placed Lincoln.
Linwood’s 31-22 win over University saw them draw level on 33 points, while Marist Albion’s 49-17 defeat of Christchurch moved them ahead of Lincoln on points difference.
Robertson is the son of former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, who guided the Crusaders to seven Super Rugby titles between 2017 and 2023 and has long-standing ties to the Sumner club.
It was only his second game back after a nine-month stint on the sidelines after tearing his ACL while playing for Canterbury under 19s last year.
Robertson was flawless from the tee, kicking one penalty and converting Sumner’s four tries as they secured their first DCL Shield win in 10 years.
They also won it in 2024, but the shield was being repaired at the time, so they did not get to physically hold it.
“It was pretty special to be back out playing for Sumner, and to lift the DCL is just a bonus,” Robertson said.
Sumner started the season with just one win from their opening six games but are now on a two-game winning streak, including a 19-17 win over Belfast two weeks ago in Robertson’s return match.
“We’re definitely trending in the right direction. There’s a lot of belief in the group. We’re stringing some wins together and we just hope to build that consistency, make finals and go on a run,” he said.
Sumner now host seventh-placed Burnside for club day on Saturday.
Sumner head coach Gareth D’Almeida said confidence is building, but his side is staying grounded.
“Confidence is there but we’re certainly not getting ahead of ourselves.
“When we play fast and play on top, we’re a dangerous team. If we can’t get that fast ball going, it changes the way we play.
“An area of focus will be nailing our micro details so we can play the way we want to play.”
Saturday’s other fixtures see leaders University host Sydenham, Linwood host Shirley, Marist Albion visit High School Old Boys, Lincoln travel to Christchurch, and New Brighton head to Belfast.
All matches kick off at 2.45pm.
Meanwhile Lyttelton look to keep up their good form against eighth placed Belfast in the metro premier reserve competition.
A late try under the sticks from substitute hooker Stefan Viola won Lyttelton the match 31-28 against Linwood on Saturday.
It was their third win on the bounce and elevated them to third on the ladder.
METRO PREMIER POINTS
University 33; Linwood 33; Marist Albion 32; Lincoln Uni 32; New Brighton 30; Burnside 23; HSOB 23; Sydenham 17; Belfast 17; Sumner 17; Christchurch 13; Shirley 0
Around the grounds
CRL Premiership
Round 9 (2.45pm Sat)
Halswell v Hornby, Halswell Domain
Riccarton v Eastern, Crosbie Park
Papanui v Linwood, Papanui Domain
Round 8
Greymouth 16 Halswell 12
Riccarton 48 Hornby 26
Eastern 58 Papanui 24
Points
Linwood 16; Eastern 12; Riccarton 10; Halswell 8; Greymouth 8; Papanui 6; Hornby 4
Schoolboy rugby
Round 7 (Sat)
Southland BHS v Christ’s College, Southland, 11.30am
Otago BHS v St Bede’s, Littlebourne, noon
King’s HS v Christchurch BHS, King’s, noon
Shirley BHS v Timaru BHS, Shirley, 12.10pm
St Andrew’s v St Thomas, St Andrew’s, 2.45pm
South Island points
Southland 27; Christchurch 25; Otago 17; Timaru 16; Marlborough 16; St Thomas 15; St Bede’s 14; Shirley 14; King’s 13; Christ’s 11; Nelson 10
Miles Toyota Premiership points
St Bede’s 19; Christchurch 18; St Andrew’s 15; Timaru 10; Shirley 10; Marlborough 8; St Thomas 8; Nelson 5; Christ’s 4
Premier 1 netball
Round 7
Lincoln University B 39 Kereru B 39
Lincoln University A 66 St Nicholas 34
Saints 55 Technical 48
Kereru A 66 Belfast 22
Points
Lincoln Uni A 25; Kereru A 25; Saints 21; Technical 20; Kereru B 10; Lincoln Uni B 9; St Nicholas 8; Belfast 0
CPL men’s hockey round 7
(Sat, Nunweek Park)
University v Hornby, 1.30pm
Harewood v Southern, 1.45pm
Marist v HSOB/Burnside, 3pm
Carlton Redcliffs v Avon, 3.15pm
Round 6
Harewood 6 University 0
Southern 4 Hornby 2
Carlton Redcliffs 1 Marist 1
Avon 5 HSOB/Burnside 3
Points
Marist 14; Harewood 13; Southern 10; Avon 9; Carlton Redcliffs 8; HSOB/Burnside 8; Hornby 5; University 0
CPL Women round 7
(Sat, Nunweek Park)
Harewood v Southern, noon
University v Hornby, 12.15pm
Carlton Redcliffs v Avon, 4.30pm
Marist v HSOB/Burnside, 4.45pm
Round 6
Harewood 8 University 1
Marist 4 Carlton Redcliffs 1
HSOB/Burnside 8 Avon 0
Hornby 6 Southern 0
Points
HSOB/Burnside 15; Harewood 13; Marost 13; Carlton Redcliffs 12; Avon 10; Hornby 4; University 3; Southern 0