Canterbury survive Tasman scare
Canterbury held off a late fightback from Tasman to win 36-32 and avenge their shock defeat in last year’s fixture in the NPC.
The finishing skills out wide of Canterbury made a big difference, with a well taken hat-trick from right wing Telusa Veainu and a brace of tries from left wing Patrick Osborne.
Canterbury’s defence in the first half was sturdy enough to withstand an onslaught from Tasman, who enjoyed the majority of possession without making it count on the scoreboard.
Both sides secured bonus points last in the second half, which could prove crucial later in the competition.
Hawke’s Bay gave Wellington a rugby lesson when they ran six tries past them in 40-20 drubbing.
The victory was the perfect way for Hawke’s Bay to bounce back from their disappointing midweek defeat to Tasman.
Weak defence proved costly for Wellington, who lost any momentum they gained during good phases in the game by leaking far too many points.
A 70 metre individual try by centre Tua Saseve and a final score by fullback Mark Jackman rubbed salt into the wound at the end of the match emphasise what was a one-sided affair.
Tasman 32-36 Canterbury
The scorers:
For Tasman
Tries: Bright 2, Goodman, Kolomatangi, Marshall
Cons: Goodman, Marshall
Pens: Goodman
For Canterbury
Tries: Veainu 3, Osborne 2
Cons: Bleyendaal 2, Taylor 2
Pen: Taylor
Teams:
Tasman: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Andrew Goodman (captain), 11 Mitchell Scott, 10 James Marshall, 9 Shawn Begg, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Jonathon Poff, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Sam Prattley, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Fai Mika.
Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Craig Moore, 18 Pablo Heuete, 19 Tevita Kolomatangi, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Jack Umaga, 22 Robbie Malneek, 23 Hamish Cochrane.
Canterbury: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Mark Swanepoel, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 George Whitelock (capt), 5 Luke Romano, 4 Reuben Thorne, 3 Andrew Olorenshaw, 2 Steve Fualau, 1 Paea Fa’anunu.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Nepo Laulala, 18 Ash Parker, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Johnny McNicholl, 23 Sam Cottam.
Referee: Keith Brown
Hawke’s Bay 40-20 Wellington
The scorers:
For Hawke’s Bay
Tries: Lowe, Horrell 2, Kaka, Saseve, Jackman
Cons: Horrell 2
Pens: Horrell 2
For Wellington
Tries: Thrush, Woodward
Cons: Woodward, Sopoaga
Pens: Woodward, Sopoaga
Teams:
Hawke’s Bay: 15 Mark Jackman, 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Tua Saseve, 12 Andrew Horrell, 11 Gillies Kaka, 10 Kahn Fotuali’i, 9 Isaac Paewai, 8 Karl Lowe, 7 Adam Bradey, 6 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot (captain), 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Danny Logan, 17 Hikairo Forbes, 18 Ashton Johnson, 19 Hugh Reed, 20 Brad Weber, 21 Ryan McLeod, 22 Sinoti Sinoti, 23 Ben Tameifuna.
Wellington: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Lote Raikabula, 13 Alipate Leiua, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Frae Wilson, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush (captain), 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Jacob Ellison,
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Whetu Henry, 18 Brad Shields, 19 Dean Brunsdon, 20 TJ Perenara, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Apoua Stewsrt, 23 Reg Goodes.
Referee: Matt Muir
