Canterbury, Counties into women’s final

Canterbury booked themselves a final in Auckland next week against Counties Manukau, by walking over Waikato in their Farah Palmer Cup national women’s rugby semifinal

60-26.

Played in front of a reasonable crowd at AMI Stadium on Saturday the women set a huge example ahead of the Canterbury men’s semifinal. against North Harbour, which the home side won 35-24.

The Canterbury women have been in five finals in the national women’s competition history and not yet won a title making this coming Saturday one of significance.

While Auckland have dominated the competition winning an incredible 15 times, it was Counties Manukau who took the spoils in

2016 and Counties who knocked their neighbours out of the competition on Saturday 22-17.

Counties narrowly finish the competition on top with 32 points while Canterbury finished on 29. Counties only loss was suffered by Canterbury 32-29 in round four at home, while Canterbury were dished giving up the fight. Awarded a penalty in front of the post they opted for the tap and go and sent it out wide for Brough’s second try of the match.

Just before halftime Canterbury were able to bowl over through Pip Love taking the gap to 31-19 at the break. Canterbury midfielder and star of the season Corrina Whiley struck early in the second half with her speed through the centre, untouched by a tired Waikato defence and in for her first of two tries.

After this the second half slowed down, with Canterbury having to defend their line for about 15 minutes. Eventually Waikato were rewarded for their persistence through flanker Emma-Lee Heta after the decision was sent upstairs to the video referee.

Canterbury responded almost immediately at the other end through Brooker on the wing for her second and then another for Whiley - deflating Waikato’s confidence and in doing so securing themselves a final against Counties Manukau.

Otago beat North Harbour 39-12 in the Farah Palmer Championship match in Dunedin.