Canterbury are in the final of the ITM Cup for the third season in a row after a thrilling 57-41 victory over Wellington at AMI Stadium tonight.
It was an amazing game in which ten tries were scored, six by Canterbury, and Wellington will go home knowing they had an opportunity to break their hoodoo against the Red and Blacks but again failed at play-offs time.
Canterbury had heroes across the park - none more so than Robbie Fruean, the big former Wellington centre. He created several tries for Canterbury and scored a beauty himself to take his tally for the season to 10.
Colin Slade was another to shine. He had a perfect night with the boot, kicking an amazing 11 goals from 11 for a personal haul of 27 points.
Sean Maitland was another threat for Canterbury and the big fullback with the yellow boots galloped over for a scorching first-half try.
Wing Telusa Veainu collected a double - both were set up by Fruean breaks. Veainu's final try was the nail in the coffin for Wellington and came in the final minutes to push the score out.
Slade opened the scoring with a penalty after six minutes before Julian Savea scorched over for a converted try to the visitors, the winger intercepting Ryan Crotty's pass.
Canterbury kept up the tempo when Steve Fualau went over for a try following a good run by Fruean.
Apoua Stewart struck back for Wellington with a try when he capitalised on a Victor Vito break to stroll over.
A Slade penalty pushed the score out to 20-14 to Canterbury before Sopoaga kicked a penalty when Ash Parker was judged to have obstructed a Wellington player chasing a kick-off.
To end a frantic half, Fruean scored a try beside the posts when he ran a nice line off an attacking scrum and Veainu dotted down following another fine Fruean run.
In between times, Sopoaga kicked three penalties.
Everyone paused for breath at halftime, with 60 points scored in the half.
After the break Slade kicked another penalty before Vito scored his try following a damaging run down the left side.
John Schwalger then looked to be over for Wellington but the TMO couldn't get a conclusive view, with a penalty a consolation for the attackers.
Two more Slade penalties made the score 43-34 but young halfback TJ Perenara caused a few nerves to jangle when he scored off an attacking scrum for Wellington to close the gap to 43-41 with 10 minutes to go.
But Canterbury upped the ante again and scored clinchers through Isaac Ross off a lineout drive and Veainu - again from a Fruean break.
It wasn't all razzle-dazzle from Canterbury, with loose forwards Matt Todd and Nasi Manu having good games at the breakdown. Todd's turnovers in particular were crucial for the Red and Blacks.
Canterbury will host the final at AMI Stadium on Friday night. Their opponents will be the winners of the other semi-final at Eden Park between Auckland and Waikato.
Canterbury - Tries: Telusa Veainu 2, Steve Fualau, Robbie Fruean, Sean Maitland, Isaac Ross. Pens: Colin Slade 5. Cons: Slade 6.
Wellington - Tries: Julian Savea, Apoua Stewart, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito. Pens: Lima Sopoaga 5. Cons: Sopoaga 3.
Kickers:
Slade 11 from 11
Sopoaga 8 from 9
Canterbury:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Steve Fualau
3. Peter Borlase
4. Luke Romano
5. Isaac Ross
6. Ash Parker (Brendon O'Connor 67th min)
7. Matt Todd
8. Nasi Manu
9. Willi Heinz (Takerei Norton 70th)
10. Colin Slade
11. Telusa Veainu
12. Ryan Crotty (Stephen Brett 65th)
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Tu Umaga-Marshall
15. Sean Maitland
Reserves not used:
16. Paul Ngauamo
17. Andrew Olorenshaw
18. Rob Verbakel
22. Sam Monaghan