Canterbury continue to dominate

 

Scoring seven tries to two, Canterbury demonstrated just how difficult it will be to prevent them achieving a seventh successive title by season's end.

 

As good as Canterbury were, Wellington were disappointing in their execution and an injury time try only slightly reduced the extent of their loss – their fifth of the competition.

 

Wellington had enough ball to apply pressure for extended periods on the defending champion but it lacked the scoring finesse of the home side who demonstrated the wealth of riches in their ranks with another comprehensive display of teamwork.

 

*Meanwhile, North Harbour coach Steve Jackson had his reward after a total revamp of his side when they stopped Manawatu's dominating run with a 24–13 victory at QBE Stadium in Albany on Friday.

 

It was the home team's first win of the year and while conditions ensured it was never going to be pretty, that didn't matter too much as a fine defensive display laid the foundations for the win.

 

Backed by steady goal-kicking from flyhalf Daniel Halangahu, who landed four penalty goals and a conversion, to shut Manawatu out in the final quarter.

 

Manawatu had dominated the third quarter and spent most of the time hammering away with pick-and-goes at the North Harbour line, but they couldn't get over for a try. 

 

Eventually their period of dominance was ended by Ma'afu Fia for stomping at a ruck.

 

*Additionally, Taranaki, easily good enough to have claimed the win, went close to throwing a match away as they didn’t kick the ball out late, allowing the Makos to score a late try to record a 31-30 victory over Tasman.

 

It was a high quality affair, where the home crowd would have walked away, admittedly disappointed with the loss, but knowing that they have the offensive and defensive arsenal to compete with any team – this is a Tasman outfit, newly promoted no less, that looks capable of threatening for the Premiership title.

 

In front of another healthy crowd the match got underway with the Makos supporters out in force, and the fact that the two heavyweights, a tag both teams deserve considering their top four status in the Premiership, found it difficult early only showed how close the two provinces were throughout the game.

 

It was mostly Tasman early, although the Amber and Blacks defensive strategies were by and large successful in shutting down a capable Makos attack.

 

*Earlier, Northland have stormed Forsyth Barr Stadium with a 40-23 win over Otago to continue the fifth round of the NPC Cup.

 

It was a remarkable second half in from Northland, who put together a good plan and turned around opening half pressure from Otago to record their third victory of the season.

 

There was barely a minute down on the clock when Namatahi Waa crashed over in an exhilarating start for Northland, five points that would signal the tone of the match.

 

Both sides had turned up to play.

 

 

 

Tries: Franklin, Parker

Cons: Parker 2

Pens: Parker 2, Breen

 

Tries: Waa, Ram, Wright, Moulds

Cons: Hawkins 3

Pens: Hawkins 3

 

 

Tries: Samu, Wheeler, Cowan

Cons: Banks 3

Pens: Banks 3

 

Tries: Thomson, Tamanivalu, Naholo

Cons: McKenzie 2

Pens: McKenzie 4

 

 

Tries: Devcich, Ahki

Con: Halangahu

Pens: Halangahu 4

 

Try: Gibbins 

Con: Black 

Pens: Black 2

 

 

Canterbury: Taylor 2, Heinz, C. Taylor, Saunders, Whitelock, Funnel

Cons: Taylor 4

Pen: Taylor

 

Tries: Lloyd, Shields 

Con: Lloyd