Canterbury are in the final of the Air New Zealand Cup competition after beating Hawke's Bay 20-3 at AMI Stadium tonight.

The Red and Blacks were too strong for the Magpies and get the chance to defend their 2008 title at AMI Stadium next Saturday night. They scored three tries to the visitors' none - their defence outstanding throughout the match.

Locks Sam Whitelock and Isaac Ross and first-five Stephen Brett scored Canterbury's tries. The margin of victory was a lot wider than in Napier for the round-robin match a fortnight ago which Canterbury, containing their eight All Blacks, won 27-20.

Canterbury will now face the winner of tomorrow night's semi-final between Wellington and Southland.

After losing the Ranfurly Shield to Southland last week, Canterbury's forwards had to step up a gear tonight and they did so against a very experienced Hawke's Bay pack containing such veterans as Thomas Waldrom, Karl Lowe, Michael Johnson and Sona Taumalolo.

But Canterbury's set piece stood firm and they held an edge in the loose - an area that the Bay would have been confident about going into the match.

Canterbury swept on to attack straight from the kick-off, Sean Maitland getting on the outside of his marker and passing infield but Michael Paterson spilt it.

But they were on the scoreboard after nine minutes through Sam Whitelock, the lock again showing his pace to score a long-range try. A Brett kick was spilt by Israel Dagg and picked up by Tyson Keats, whose wide pass put Whitelock away on a 25m run to the line.

The try was expertly converted from wide on the right by Brett and Canterbury were 7-0 up.

Good Canterbury defence kept the Bay out as the visitors applied the pressure and halfback Chris Eaton lost the ball at the back of a ruck when the Bay had numbers and were threatening.

Brett missed a handy penalty chance after Waldrom was penalised at a ruck after 18 minutes.

Five minutes later it was lock Ross's turn to show his speed when going on a big run but his pass was spilt by Maitland as he hurried to support at the tackle.

A long-range Colin Slade penalty was unsuccessful after 30 minutes. Bay first-five Matt Berquist slotted a three-pointer four minutes later to make it 7-3.

Ross scored his try four minutes before halftime and it came after charge-down expert Michael Paterson forced a mistake from halfback Eaton as the Bay won a defensive lineout.

Paterson regathered and passed to Ross who crashed over. The try pushed the score to 12-3 and was just the ticket for Canterbury going into halftime.

The Bay had a chance to reply late in the half but a Hika Elliott pass was dropped by prop Sona Taumalolo with the Bay hot on attack.

Taumalolo was in the action straight after the break with a dangerous tackle on Slade and he was lucky to stay on the field - a penalty the only ruling.

Canterbury were winning a lot more possession and were determined to put pressure on the Bay's outside backs. Brett missed with a drop goal attempt from 35m but made amends with a brilliant break-out try shortly after.

Turnover ball on Canterbury's 22m was run by Brett and the first-five sent Maitland away on a scorching run. Brett backed up brilliantly to receive the inside pass and scored untouched.

At 17-3 up with 30 minutes left, Canterbury were almost home.

Canterbury successfully defused each Bay raid - the most notable being a dangerous rolling maul which went close to the Red and Blacks' line.

A wide 'kick-pass' by Brett for replacement wing James Paterson was spilt but Brett made things safe with a penalty with three minutes left.

Canterbury coaches Rob Penney and Tabai Matson emptied the bench as time rolled on. Fullback Slade was replaced late on but he was only suffering from cramp.

The only other injury concern for Canterbury would be Ross, who got a knock on a knee and was replaced by Matt Todd after 64 minutes.

Canterbury - Tries: Sam Whitelock, Isaac Ross, Stephen Brett. Conversion: Brett. Penalty: Brett.
Hawke's Bay - Penalty: Matt Berquist.
HT: 12-3.

Canterbury:
1. Andrew Olorenshaw
2. Ti'i Paulo (16. Steve Fualau 75min)
3. Peter Borlase (17. Rodney Ah You 75min)
4. Sam Whitelock
5. Isaac Ross (19. Matt Todd 64min)
6. Michael Paterson
7. George Whitelock (c)
8. Nasi Manu
9. Tyson Keats (20. Willi Heinz 75min)
10. Stephen Brett
11. Tu Umaga-Marshall
12. Tim Bateman (21. Ryan Crotty 75min)
13. Casey Laulala
14. Sean Maitland (22. James Paterson 66min)
15. Colin Slade (Bateman 79min)