Dan Carter showed he is all but back to his best when scoring all of Canterbury's points in its rollercoaster 22-16 victory over Auckland at Eden Park tonight.

It was Canterbury's first win of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup season, following last weekend's narrow round one loss to North Harbour, and Carter played a major part in getting the Red and Blacks home.

Carter, who ruptured his Achilles in France six months ago, kicked five penalties in the match and scored a converted try in the second half to put his side back in front after Auckland staged a comeback which would have had the Red and Blacks a little worried.

Canterbury led 9-0 at halftime and were looking comfortable, enjoying a big territorial advantage over the home side.

Carter missed a penalty after three minutes but six minutes later he put Canterbury on the scoreboard after Auckland were caught offside.

He followed that up with two further penalties after 20 minutes and 33 minutes, for a collapsed scrum and offside respectively.

Auckland's only chances were two missed penalties by Daniel Bowden late in the first half.

After the break Canterbury second-five Ryan Crotty almost scored a sensational try following a great offload by lock Sam Whitelock but he was pushed out in the corner.

Soon after, Crotty was taken out late by Auckland wing Winston Stanley, with Stanley only penalised. Carter kicked the penalty and Canterbury were cruising at 12-0.

Then came the Auckland fightback. Replacement first-five Ash Moeke kicked three penalties to narrow the gap and Adam Whitelock, a replacement for Crotty, was unluckily sinbinned for allegedly not rolling away in the tackle.

Former Canterbury player Paul Williams made his old team pay when scoring a converted try and Auckland were 16-12 ahead.

Then came another piece of magic by Carter. From a scrum in Canterbury's half, centre Tim Bateman made a brilliant break, drew fullback Williams and passed to Carter who outsprinted the defence for a converted try - 19-16 to Canterbury.

Carter importantly pushed the margin beyond three points when kicking a penalty after 76 minutes. He had been taken out late and high by Williams after showing scorching pace to outflank the Auckland defence. Williams, like Stanley before him, was lucky to stay on the field after the illegal hit.

Still, the classy first-five had survived a couple of big hits and got his team home once again. He showed he has lost none of his pace and the All Blacks selectors will no doubt be calling soon.

For Canterbury, it was a reassuring victory over their old rivals and it proved they can still hold their nerve and close out tight games for victory. This will become increasingly important as the season goes on.

No8 Mike Coman, a late replacement during the week for the injured Nasi Manu, had a strong game on debut for Canterbury.

Crotty and Bateman looked dangerous in midfield, and Colin Slade was extremely solid at fullback.

Locks Sam Whitelock and James Broadhurst showed some good touches and look to be growing in confidence.

Auckland - Try: Paul Williams. Conversion: Ash Moeke. Penalties: Moeke (3).
Canterbury - Try: Dan Carter. Conversion: Carter. Penalties: Carter (5).

HT: Canterbury 9-0.

Canterbury
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Peter Borlase
4. Sam Whitelock
5. James Broadhurst
6. Michael Paterson
7. George Whitelock (c)
8. Mike Coman
9. Tyson Keats
10. Dan Carter
11. Sean Maitland
12. Ryan Crotty (22. Adam Whitelock 59th min)
13. Tim Bateman
14. James Paterson (21. Stephen Brett 72nd min)
15. Colin Slade

Reserves not used:
16. Will Catherwood
17. Andrew Olorenshaw
18. Luke Romano
19. Matt Todd
20. Willi Heinz