Sub-strength Canterbury claim late win

Canterbury coach Scott Robertson removed the equivalent of a first XI from his starting lineup to ensure Waikato were likely to avoid another cricket score – and ultimately it was a captain’s knock from Tom Taylor that protected their unbeaten record in the ITM Cup in Christchurch last night.

Taylor slotted a handy 76thminute penalty to seal a controversial 18-17 victory and overhaul Tasman at the top of the Premiership standings.

Trailing at halftime for the first time this season, Canterbury relied on a debatable sinbinning to claw back into a contest where a second-string starting lineup was decidedly second best.

Three games in seven days ensured Robertson would eventually have to trust the depth of his squad – and his faith was only just repaid as fifth-placed Waikato regrouped admirably by a record 41-0 loss to Taranaki last Friday.

Canterbury face the final leg of their testing treble against Taranaki at AMI Stadium on Sunday – beat the defending champions and next Saturday’s clash with Tasman may determine which province finishes the regular season on top.

Taylor’s first game in charge will be a fond memory for the France-bound former All Black utility, though Waikato will be ruing the officiating.

Although Robertson called on his reinforcements after Canterbury trailed 14-3 at the break the favourites remained ponderous until giant Waikato prop Ben Tameifuna was controversially sinbinned for a supposed punch on Joe Moody in the 63rd minute.

Television replays were inconclusive but the consequences for Waikato were clear when relentless lineout drives from kickable penalties resulted in tries to substitutes Ben Funnell and Matt Todd as the visitors were denied Tameifuna’s 140kg-plus worth of ballast.

Impressive first five-eighth Damian McKenzie briefly regained the lead for Waikato with a 75th-minute dropped goal but Canterbury managed to sweep downfield and force the decisive three-pointer.

Until Canterbury’s late resurgence Waikato appeared on track for a morale-boosting road win.

The importance of Brad Weber’s return from illness was soon apparently when the promising Chiefs halfback instigated a sweeping 70-metre move that culminated in fullback Shaun Stevenson crossing with ease in the sixth minute.

Wing Dylan Collier and centre Anton Lienert-Brown also fragmented the Canterbury defence – an early indication of the threat posed by the Waikato back division despite intermittent drizzle.

McKenzie, who reverted to pivot after playing at fullback against Taranaki, orchestrated Waikato’s quest for redemption and deservedly extended Waikato’s lead nine minutes from the break when his line break and support play saw him wrong foot a passive defensive line.

Canterbury were error-prone for most of the half with weak tackling compounded by poor handling and a non-threatening kicking game.

A Taylor penalty in the 16th minute after the pack strung together multiple phases – a rare display of continuity from the hosts – was the solitary positive for an increasing irritated crowd.

Robertson rushed on five firstchoice selections within 10 minutes of the interval with only openside Todd introduced for an obvious injury.