Ruthless Cantabs silence cowbells
The defending NPC Premiership champions, Canterbury, recorded their second straight bonus point victory to shoot top of the table.
Ominously they took apart Waikato 58-27 in Hamilton on Friday, in the second match of the second week.
While a healthy crowd was at Waikato Stadium for the first home match of the 2014 season for the Mooloo Men, expectant after the team's vibrant victory against Wellington, the match was all about the best province in New Zealand.
Some early parries between the sides were an illusion, as suddenly Canterbury exploded – Johnny McNicholl turned on the afterburners and set up Codie Taylor out wide.
It was an early demonstration as to how dangerous the defending champions can be.
And the rout didn't stop there, despite the occasional rally from the home side.
* Meanwhile Magpies flyhalf Ihaia West has kicked a drop-goal at the death to give Hawke's Bay their first victory of the season, defeating Taranaki 29-26 at McLean Park.
With time all but up on the clock, West was the beneficiary of a ferocious final charge at the Taranaki line as the hosts knew that they had one last throw of the dice.
Finding some last reserve of energy, the Championship side took the battle to the Amber and Blacks and just as it looked like a draw, West – who hadn't looked like he was dropping into the pocket – suddenly snapped into position and calmly struck over one of the most important drop-goals of the ginger haired playmakers fledging career.
Week Two scores and scorers:
North Harbour 21-25 Southland
North Harbour:
Tries: McGahan, Tuitavake
Con: McGahan
Pens: McGahan 2
DG: Robinson
Southland:
Try: Halaholo
Con: Sopoago
Pens: Sopoaga 6
Waikato 27-58 Canterbury
Waikato:
Ties: Webber, Weber 2
Cons: McKenzie 3
Pens: Nikoro, McKenzie
Canterbury:
Tries: Taylor, Todd, Symons, Keresoma, Bleyendaal, Osborne, Goodhue, Sanders
Cons: Bleyendaal 2, Heinz 3, Drummond
Pens: Bleyendaal 2
Hawke's Bay 29-26 Taranaki
Hawke's Bay:
Tries: Tongia 2, Buckman
Con: West
Pens: West 3
DG: West
Taranaki:
Tries: Tamanivalu, McKenzie
Cons: Rei, McKenzie
Pens: Rei 4
