Eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb defended a fragile lead through the second day of the Rally of New Zealand, finishing with a 6.4 second advantage over Citroen teammate Mikka Hirvonen after 15 of 22 stages.

Loeb started Saturday with a four-second lead over Hirvonen and kept a fluctuating advantage to stay on target for only his third win in New Zealand, among his 71 World Rally Championship victories, and his first since 2008.

The Citroen teammates seem the only drivers still in contention to win with seven stages remaining on Sunday.

Ford driver Petter Solberg sits third, a minute and 35 seconds behind Loeb.

“Here we are two days down and still in a proper fight so I’m having a good time,” Hirvonen said.

“One thing is that I don’t have any soft tyres left and I know Sebastien has a few, so it’s going to be difficult to fight against him tomorrow.”