The Ranfurly Shield is back in Canterbury after the Red and Blacks demolished Wellington 36-14 in the capital on Saturday night.
It was an awesome display by Canterbury, and the Lions had no answer until the final 10 minutes when they scored two consolation tries.
The Canterbury tight five of Wyatt Crockett, Ti’i Paulo, Pete Borlase, James Broadhurst and Brad Thorn, completely dominated the Wellington pack.
And in the loose Wellington were always on the back foot thanks to a trio including skipper George Whitelock, Richie McCaw and Michael Paterson. It was the first time in years that McCaw has played No8 but he took to it with aplomb.
It was Canterbury’s 12th successful challenge for the famous Log o’ Wood and one of the most one-sided.
Canterbury last held the Shield in 2007 after beating Waikato, but defending it successfully only once before losing to Auckland.
Canterbury shut Wellington out from the start, with first-five Dan Carter kicking three penalties to make it 9-0, then skipper George Whitelock touched the ball over the line after being shunted over in a ruck.
Carter’s conversion made it 16-0 and there was more to come.
Canterbury’s best try came from a scrum – which completely dominated Wellington throughout the match.
It was a simple double-around move from Carter, who had passed to Ryan Crotty. But Carter’s run attracted the defence, allowing Crotty to break through and slip the pass to Tim Bateman, who scored.
Carter’s conversion and another penalty made it 26-0 at halftime and that was effectively that.
Substitute hooker Corey Flynn scored a deserved second-half try, converted by Carter, and another Carter penalty made it 36-0 before Wellington threw caution to the wind and scored converted tries through Hosea Gear and Ma’a Nonu.
George Whitelock, a hero for Canterbury with his work on defence, in the breakdowns and linking play, said afterwards: “I’m lost for words really. This is an awesome feeling.”
McCaw said of his new role at No8: “The pack made it easy for me. They set up the win. It’s easy to play No8 behind a pack going forward like that.”
Tyson Keats was a livewire at halfback and Crotty and Bateman played very well outside Carter.
Paulo had his best game this season at hooker after returning from a knee injury and deserves many plaudits.
Some of the interplay between the forwards, especially in the first half, was outstanding.
The way the Canterbury players celebrated with the Shield afterwards showed how important the victory was to them.
About 300 people welcomed the players back to Christchurch Airport and there were cheers as reserve prop and official guardian of the Log o’ Wood Andrew Olorenshaw brought the Shield through.
Canterbury also won the Harry Saundercock Cup, which Canterbury and Wellington have been playing for since the 1960s.
Canterbury’s first defence of the Shield will be against Otago at AMI Stadium on Saturday, September 12. Kick-off is at 4.35pm and there is bound to be a good crowd there for Otago’s second challenge of the season.
Wellington – Tries: Hosea Gear, Ma’a Nonu. Conversions: Fa’atonu Fili (2).
Canterbury – Tries: George Whitelock, Tim Bateman, Corey Flynn. Conversions: Dan Carter (3). Penalties: Carter (5)
Ht: Canterbury 26-0
Canterbury:
1. Wyatt Crockett (Andrew Olorenshaw 67th min)
2. Ti’i Paulo (Corey Flynn 46th min)
3. Pete Borlase
4. James Broadhurst (Sam Whitelock 55th min)
5. Brad Thorn (Matt Todd 65th min)
6. Michael Paterson
7. George Whitelock (c)
8. Richie McCaw
9. Tyson Keats (Andy Ellis 60th min)
10. Dan Carter (Stephen Brett 65th min)
11. James Paterson
12. Ryan Crotty (Adam Whitelock 65th min)
13. Tim Bateman
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade