Canterbury are the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup champions after beating Wellington 28-20 at AMI Stadium tonight.
The win means Canterbury have won consecutive titles for the first time, after they beat the same opposition in Wellington last season.
Canterbury took an 18-3 lead into halftime and two Colin Slade tries and two Stephen Brett penalties put the Red and Blacks on the front foot.
Slade's first try came after just 90 seconds. Wellington wing David Smith lost the ball after going on a run and the ball was picked up by George Whitelock who passed to his brother Sam. The tall lock passed inside to Slade and he easily outpaced Smith to dive over.
Brett converted from wide out and Canterbury were off to the best possible start.
Piri Weepu missed a penalty attempt after six minutes. Ten minutes later, Brett made no such mistake when slotting a three-pointer after Wellington were penalised for hands in the scrum.
Tim Bateman missed with a drop goal attempt but Brett kept the scoreboard ticking over with another penalty and Canterbury were 13-0 up.
Canterbury No8 Nasi Manu was harshly penalised for tackling Hosea Gear in the air and Weepu kicked Wellington's first points of the game.
But Canterbury struck back in the 33rd minute when Slade scored his second try. It came after Canterbury put pressure on Wellington's line and the ball was spun by Brett to Casey Laulala who sent a great miss pass to Slade. The flying fullback drifted outside his marker and cut inside a defender to crash over.
Brett missed a drop goal attempt just before the halftime whistle but Canterbury were in charge.
However, Wellington threw caution in the wind after the break and set about trying to overhaul Canterbury. A converted try to Alapati Leuia narrowed the gap to 18-10 before Sean Maitland scored a brilliant individual try to take his tally for the season to nine.
Canterbury had to endure some nervous moments as the clock ticked down to fulltime and the score was 25-20 thanks to a converted try to Wellington's Scott Fuglistaller and a Piri Weepu penalty.
The Red and Blacks had to defend Wellington's onslaught without man of the match Slade, who was sent to the sinbin for a ruck transgression.
But Brett kicked a penalty with a couple of minutes remaining to seal the victory for Canterbury. It clinched a wonderful season for the Red and Blacks, who also held the Ranfurly Shield this season.
It was also a fitting send-off for Canterbury centre Casey Laulala, who is departing for Cardiff. Laulala was carried off the field by his triumphant tream-mates.
The Canterbury forwards were immense against a tough Wellington outfit and the backs simply outplayed their opposites.
The Whitelock brothers, George and Sam, had massive games, as did No8 Manu.
Brett controlled things for Canterbury and missed only one shot at goal. Tu Umaga-Marshall played well on the left wing before going off with a shoulder injury.
Maitland was again dangerous but the back of the night was Slade, who had his best match of the season. He was safe under the high ball again and was a real threat on attack.
Canterbury - Tries: Colin Slade (2), Sean Maitland. Conversions: Steve Brett (2) Penalties: Brett (3).
Wellington - Tries: Alipati Leuia, Scott Fuglistaller. Conversions: Piri Weepu (2). Penalties: Weepu (2).
HT: 18-3.
Canterbury:
1. Andrew Olorenshaw
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Peter Borlase
4. Sam Whitelock
5. Isaac Ross (19. Matt Todd 78th min)
6. Michael Paterson
7. George Whitelock (c)
8. Nasi Manu (18. Ash Parker 76th min)
9. Tyson Keats (20. Willi Heinz 78th min)
10. Stephen Brett
11. Tu Umaga-Marshall (22. James Paterson 43rd min)
12. Tim Bateman (21. Ryan Crotty 64th min)
13. Casey Laulala
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade
Reserves not used:
16. Steve Fualau
17. Rodney Ah You