Canterbury began the defence of their Air New Zealand Cup title with a narrow 22-19 loss to North Harbour in Albany on Saturday night.
The Red and Blacks had a chance to draw the match after the final hooter when they kept possession for over 10 phases and got into position for a drop goal, but they eventually lost the ball in a ruck.
It was a disappointing start for the team and coaches Rob Penney and Tabai Matson, but in reality it was the first time this combination had played together and they will only improve.
First-five Dan Carter played 65 minutes before he was substituted by Stephen Brett and ran freely after recovering from his Achilles injury suffered six months ago in France.
He kicked five goals from six attempts and his run in the second half put Sean Maitland over the line, but the referee called the wing back for a forward pass.
Canterbury led 16-12 at halftime, Carter’s three penalties and a conversion to Maitland’s try giving his team a handy lead.
Maitland scored his try after 33 minutes and it came after he chased his own midfield bomb. Halfback Tyson Keats won the ball, and passed to Maitland, who shrugged off a tackle and ran nearly 40m to score in the corner.
He was over the line again early in the second half for his disallowed try, but Carter soon kicked another penalty to make the score 19-12 and Canterbury seemed to be cruising.
However, North Harbour wing Anthony Tuitavake took advantage of some poor tackling to dot down in the corner, excellently converted by Michael Harris, and Harbour were back at 19-all.
Brett, Carter’s replacement, missed a penalty from a handy distance in the 68th minute and unfortunately for Canterbury, Harris made no mistake from out in front 10 minutes later.
It seemed to be Harbour’s game with the score 22-19, but Canterbury came back and camped in the home team’s half. Brett was in position for the drop goal, but the Red and Blacks knocked the ball on.
The victory meant Harbour won back the Kevin Gimblett Memorial Trophy, which the two teams have played for since 2005.
Canterbury will be looking to cut out their costly mistakes and improve their combinations ahead of next Saturday’s match against Auckland at Eden Park.
On the bright side, Sam Whitelock won some good ball for Canterbury in the lineouts and hooker Ti’i Paulo (pictured above) and wing James Paterson lasted 80 minutes after returning from knee injuries suffered last season.
Wing Maitland ran with confidence after struggling with a hamstring injury in this season’s Rebel Sport Super 14 and took his try well.
And Carter enjoyed a good return for Canterbury, his first for the Red and Blacks since October 2006.
- Wyatt Crockett
- Ti’i Paulo
- Peter Borlase (17. Andrew Olorenshaw 60th min)
- Sam Whitelock
- James Broadhurst
- Michael Paterson
- George Whitelock (c)
- Nasi Manu
- Tyson Keats
- Dan Carter (21. Stephen Brett 65th min)
- Sean Maitland
- Ryan Crotty (22. Adam Whitelock 60th min)
- Tim Bateman
- James Paterson
- Colin Slade
Reserves not used:
16. Will Catherwood
18. Luke Romano
19. Matt Todd
20. Willi Heinz
Harbour – Try: Anthony Tuitavake. Conversion: Michael Harris. Penalties: Harris (5).
Canterbury – Try: Sean Maitland. Conversion: Dan Carter. Penalties: Carter (4).
HT: Canterbury 16-12.