Canterbury have kept the Ranfurly Shield for the summer following their commanding 39-21 victory over Counties-Manukau at AMI Stadium tonight.
Canterbury scored five tries for a bonus point win which kept them at the top of the ITM Cup points table. Canterbury are on top with 45 points, with Auckland and Waikato next on 40.
All Blacks Brad Thorn and Owen Franks added grunt to a forward pack which dominated the visitors. The set pieces were solid which gave the exciting Red and Black backline plenty of quality ball.
Counties on the other hand were regularly forced to play behind the advantage line and struggled to get their game going against a fired-up Canterbury defensive line.
Both first-fives, Dean Cummins and Stephen Brett, missed early shots at goal before Canterbury’s patience on attack quickly yielded dividends.
From an attacking lineout, Brett ran a nice line and cut with Robbie Fruean who was unstoppable from 20m out.
It was Fruean’s ninth try of the season and his brilliant form in his debut season for Canterbury continues.
Counties captain Tana Umaga almost scored but lost the ball following a good run by wing Ahsee Tuala.
Brett compounded Canterbury’s problems by dropping the ball from behind his line from the resulting scrum, but a free-kick got his side off the hook.
Brett made amends with a penalty from almost halfway to make the score 10-0.
Sonny Bill Williams then showed his strength with a fine try, brushing aside his mentor Umaga in the process.
The move started with a Wyatt Crockett steal at the back of a lineout. Brett and Ash Parker kept it going and Williams finished it in his usual blockbusting manner.
Brett’s conversion gave Canterbury a 17-0 halftime lead.
Good work by Tu Umaga-Marshall and Thorn on the right put Canterbury on attack and Isaac Ross went close as Canterbury won a penalty in front which Brett kicked.
Skipper Andy Ellis bombed a certain try when losing the ball over the line following a run by Fruean which completely split the Counties defence.
But a couple of minutes later Telusa Veainu scored following good work by Fruean, Sean Maitland and Thorn.
At 25-0 the score was mounting but Counties struck back immediately when Brett’s attempted clearance was charged down by replacement lock Sikeli Nabou, who scored.
A Williams ankle tap on a flying Sherwin Stowers prevented a certain try and good work by Williams at the other end resulted in a penalty try for his side.
A kick through from the big second-five was tapped away over the line by Stowers and the TMO adjudged it to be deliberate and therefore a penalty try was awarded.
Franks pushed his way over for Canterbury’s fifth try before Counties scored two consolation tries through intercepts from Stowers and Tuala.
For Canterbury, Franks and Thorn were standouts, as was Matt Todd, who again showed his effectiveness at the breakdown.
Fruean and Williams were again hard to contain in the midfield and Umaga-Marshall was busy as usual.
Counties’ hopes were hurt further when talisman Umaga went off after 50 minutes. Sevens expert Stowers showed his pace on several occasions.
Canterbury’s intensity following the Shield win over Southland was impressive. They were businesslike in all facets and the patience on attack and physicality on defence were big factors in getting on top of a plucky Counties.
Colin Slade was a late withdrawal for the match due to a hip injury suffered in yesterday’s training run. Brett was his replacement, with Sam Monaghan coming on to the bench.
Canterbury – Tries: Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Telusa Veainu, penalty try, Owen Franks. Cons: Stephen Brett 4. Pens: Brett 2.
Counties-Manukau – Tries: Sikeli Nabou, Sherwin Stowers, Ahsee Tuala. Cons: Dean Cummins 3.
HT: 17-0
Kickers:
Brett 6 from 8
Cummins 3 from 4
Canterbury:
1. Wyatt Crockett (Andrew Olorenshaw 53rd min)
2. Steve Fualau (Paul Ngauamo 70th)
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Isaac Ross (Rob Verbakel 53rd)
6. Ash Parker
7. Matt Todd (Brendon O’Connor 70th)
8. Nasi Manu
9. Andy Ellis (c) (Willi Heinz 61st)
10. Stephen Brett
11. Telusa Veainu
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Tu Umaga-Marshall (Ryan Crotty 61st)
15. Sean Maitland (Sam Monaghan 55th)