Canterbury now turn their attentions to a tough assignment in defending the Ranfurly Shield against Southland next Thursday after beating Hawke’s Bay 27-20 in a thrilling match which went right to the final whistle tonight.

With time up on the clock, Hawke’s Bay prop Sona Taumalolo was tackled into touch by a desperate Andy Ellis and referee Chris Pollock blew for full time. A try to Hawke’s Bay would have narrowed the gap and given Mathew Berquist a difficult conversion attempt to draw the game.

Considering Berquist’s kicking ability (he put a penalty over from at least 55m tonight), he would have gone very close.

So Canterbury, who scored three tries to one, take the four competition points and prepare to lose their All Blacks before Thursday night’s Ranfurly Shield defence against Southland at AMI Stadium.

Canterbury, who are guaranteed a home semi-final, will be up against a fired-up Southland team still gunning for a place in the play-offs and hoping to win the Shield for the first time since 1959.

Head coach Rob Penney said: “We know Southland will be very tough but we’ll be well prepared and will give it everything.”

Hawke’s Bay tonight were determined to knock Canterbury off its perch at the top of the table. The second-placed team had plenty of players who were keen to prove a point, including Zac Guildford and Thomas Waldrom, a new and current Crusader respectively.

McLean Park was a sellout, 17,000 people dressed in white and black roaring on the home team.

Canterbury first-five Dan Carter had a chance to silence them but narrowly missed a penalty attempt after three minutes.

After six minutes James Paterson made no mistake, scoring Canterbury’s first try. From an attacking lineout take by Michael Paterson, Casey Laulala took the ball up and quick ruck ball plus the incision of Sean Maitland from the opposite wing put Paterson over the line for a try converted by Carter.

Hawke’s Bay struck back with two penalties to Berquist. Both were awarded against Ellis – the first for running obstruction and the second offside at a ruck.

A Berquist drop goal after 18 minutes gave Hawke’s Bay the lead for the first time – 9-7 to the home team.

A Guildford try following a Waldrom break and Berquist’s 55m penalty boosted the Bay’s score to 17-7 and it was one-way traffic after Canterbury’s good start. The momentum had completely shifted due to the Bay’s tenacious defence and a few handling errors from Canterbury, who were determined to keep running the ball when perhaps going for field position would have been more appropriate.

However, Richie McCaw’s try just before halftime swung things back Canterbury’s way. Another Paterson lineout take led to a Carter break. A short ball to Maitland freed up the big wing and he sent McCaw away for a converted try with an inside pass.

Tim Bateman got things going for Canterbury after halftime. A break from the second-five led to a Bay infringement and Carter kicked the penalty to even the score at 17-17.

Another Carter penalty gave Canterbury the lead but Berquist followed suit and it was all square again.

Carter stepped up in the final 20 minutes and his class helped Canterbury over the line. With 19 minutes to go he made a break which led to Ellis being dragged down 2m short of the try line.

With 12 minutes left the All Blacks first-five effectively sealed it with a try. From an attacking scrum, Carter stepped off his left foot, used his fend and was pushed over the line by the Canterbury forwards for a converted try.

Carter missed a penalty chance to make things safe but the Red and Blacks held out the Bay, although it was very close at the end.

Canterbury deserved their win – they were prepared to chance their arm and scored three tries in the process. The Bay stuck to their (albeit very effective) game plan of putting up high kicks and counter-attacking.

The Canterbury scrum and lineout dominated the Bay, with props Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks giving their opposites some grief. Halfback Ellis had another strong game.

Waldrom’s ability at No8 got a retreating Bay scrum out of trouble time and again. Guildford showed why he’ll play for the Crusaders next season and fullback Israel Dagg showed how dangerous he can be.

Hawke’s Bay – Try: Zac Guildford. Penalties: Mathew Berquist (4). DG: Berquist.
Canterbury – Tries: James Paterson, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter. Conversions: Carter (3). Penalties: Carter (2).

HT: Hawke’s Bay 17-14.

Canterbury:

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Corey Flynn
3. Owen Franks (17. Peter Borlase 71^st min)
4. Isaac Ross (19. Nasi Manu 71^st min)
5. Brad Thorn
6. Michael Paterson
7. George Whitelock (c)
8. Richie McCaw
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. James Paterson
12. Tim Bateman
13. Casey Laulala
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade

Reserves not used: