Clinical Canterbury shut Steelers out of final
The Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final will once again be in Christchurch.
After a loose display in Pukekohe to close out the regular season, Canterbury were back to their usual clinical, efficient selves in shutting out a motivated but outgunned Counties Manukau Steelers at AMI Stadium in Christchurch yesterday.
Canterbury took a 17-0 lead to the break and though some of the stats were not in their favour, they defended like demons in the second spell in what was a hard-nosed game of semifinals rugby.
“It was a huge task for the boys after [the loss in] Pukekohe. We talked about squeezing up around that breakdown. They are really dangerous around that area,” said Canterbury No 8 and captain Luke Whitelock, whose pile-driving tackle on Steelers halfback Augustine Pulu was indicative of the home team’s accuracy in that facet.
The Steelers applied early setpiece pressure, but twice lost the ball over the line and were also denied what looked to be a try to No 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o. Conversely, Canterbury struck two palpable blows through hooker Ben Funnell and Jordie Barrett, the new All Blacks apprentice, in the first stanza. They did not even miss a beat when lock Dominic Bird did not resume for the second half.
Adopting a swarming defence based on good line speed, Canterbury veritably suffocated the Steelers, whose sole joy was a try to No 6 Jordan Taufua. When Canterbury replacement halfback and NZ Universities rep Jack Stratton scored from a loose Steelers scrum in the 68th min- ute, it was game, set and match. Canterbury have now won 23 out of 32 playoffs matches since 1992. It will be a brave man who backs against the Ranfurly Shield holders winning their eighth provincial crown in nine seasons next Saturday night.
There was a moment’s silence before the march in tribute to former Canterbury All Black Wally Argus, who died during the week, aged 95.
Canterbury 22 (Ben Funnell, Jordie Barrett, Jack Stratton tries; Barrett 2 con, pen). Counties Manukau 7 (Jordan Taufua try; Luteru Laulala con). HT: 17-0.