Canterbury successfully defended the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 2009 and picked up five Air New Zealand Cup competition points when beating Otago 36-16 at AMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Otago's Shield drought continues - it is 52 years since the Blue and Golds held the Log o' Wood and they came to Christchurch confident of upsetting a relatively youthful Canterbury side.

But the Red and Blacks had too much class all over the park and ended up winning five tries to one, with first-five Stephen Brett taking a leading role.

Assistant coach Tabai Matson said: "It's a great outcome for us, obviously. To retain the Shield and go top the table is fantastic. Stevie Brett was a key driver for us. He took control, made breaks and tackles and his kicking put us in the box seat."

Brett scored the first try, kicked five goals from six attempts, and guided Canterbury around the field with his astute kicking from hand.

The match was also notable for a return from an arm injury of centre Casey Laulala, who hadn't played since turning out for the Crusaders against the Bulls in the Rebel Sport Super 14 on April 3.

However, he looked as sharp as ever on Saturday after replacing the injured Ryan Crotty a minute before halftime. And Laulala celebrated his return by scoring a try with virtually his second touch of the ball.

Brett began Canterbury's scoring after 14 minutes after a beautiful pass by Tim Bateman allowed Tu Umaga-Marshall to drift outside his marker. The big wing kicked ahead and the ball was gathered by fullback Sean Maitland. Umaga-Marshall won the ball from the ruck and gave a short pass to Brett who went under the posts.

Brett converted his try and it was 7-0 to Canterbury.

Glenn Dickson narrowed the gap for Otago to 7-6 with two penalties.
Brett was again in the action when kicking through for left wing James Paterson. Paterson's chase forced the Otago defender to concede a five metre scrum from which Canterbury won a penalty. However, the Red and Blacks elected not to take the kick.

A big tackle by Otago second-five Aaron Bancroft left Crotty with a fat lip after 28 minutes and he could last only until just before halftime when he was replaced by Laulala.

The good news for Canterbury was Michael Paterson's try straight afterwards. It didn't look good for Canterbury when they lost a lineout off their throw, but Dickson took too long to clear and Paterson charged down his kick and showed great composure and handling skills to force the ball over the line.

Brett missed the conversion attempt but Dickson made no such error when kicking a penalty to narrow the gap to 12-9.

Just before halftime Brett made amends with a 40m penalty which took Canterbury to the break 15-9 ahead.

And the first-five's running skills were showcased straight after the re-start. Brett shaped to kick then took off through the Otago defence, the ball finding its way to Maitland who kicked through.

Canterbury's pressure paid off with a converted try to Tim Bateman shortly after. From an attacking lineout, Brett took the ball to the defensive line and gave a classic short pass to Bateman who made no mistake. At 22-9 Canterbury looked safe but Otago came back with a converted try.

From an attacking lineout, Otago launched a series of rucks and replacement lock Keith Cameron dived over.

Canterbury lock James Broadhurst showed his pace with a fine 40m run and Canterbury were back on attack, Laulala easily pushing off Otago defender Michael Witt to score a converted try.

Otago desperately tried to force their way back and camped on Canterbury's line until they were undone by an accidental offside.

And there was just time for Ash Parker to score Canterbury's fifth try, running a nice line on to Nasi Manu's short ball to crash over for what turned out to be another seven pointer.

The victory meant Canterbury also retained the impressive looking Payne Trophy, which has been up for grabs since the 1920s.

Canterbury - Tries: Stephen Brett, Michael Paterson, Tim Bateman, Casey Laulala, Ash Parker. Conversions: Brett (4). Penalty: Brett.

Otago - Try: Keith Cameron. Conversion: Michael Witt. Penalties: Glenn Dickson (3).

HT: Canterbury 15-9.

Canterbury:
1. Andrew Olorenshaw
2. Ti'i Paulo (16. Corey Flynn 45th min)
3. Pete Borlase
4. Sam Whitelock (18. Nasi Manu 68th)
5. James Broadhurst
6. Michael Paterson
7. George Whitelock (c) (19. Matt todd 57th)
8. Ash Parker
9. Tyson Keats (20. Andy Ellis 50th)
10. Stephen Brett
11. James Paterson
12. Ryan Crotty (22. Casey Laulala 40th)
13. Tim Bateman
14. Tu Umaga-Marshall (21. Adam Whitelock 47th)
15. Sean Maitland

Reserve not used:
17. Rodney Ah You