Canterbury again show they are the team to beat
New season, same team at the top of the national provincial championship standings.
Fresh off dismantling Auckland in the season opener last weekend, defending champions Canterbury continued their red hot start to the NPC by thrashing Tasman 45-14 in Christchurch in round two.
The red and blacks, who have won the competition eight of the past nine years, have maximum points (10) after two rounds and have set the benchmark.
Tasman have caused their neighbours a few problems in recent years, but they were outclassed by big brother in perfect conditions in the Garden City in their latest match yesterday.
Fullback Jordie Barrett showed his class by contributing 25 points in the win, while his team’s forward pack monstered the Makos, particularly at scrum time. But the five points didn’t come easy. Canterbury was clinging on to a 19-14 lead after 61 minutes, before lock Dominic Bird finally gave Canterbury breathing room when he crashed over. They then flicked into top gear and romped home with three more tries, to Nathan Vella, Jack Goodhue and Inga Finau.
Round two also featured Waikato successfully defending the Ranfurly Shield against North Harbour.
The Mooloo men used a fast start to get them home 26-15, but they had to work hard against a North Harbour team that’s showed more quality in the first two rounds this year than they did all last season.
Waikato will put the Log o’ Wood on the line again next weekend, when unbeaten Manawatu comes to town.
The Turbos have picked up maximum points from their first two games to sit second in the championship section of the NPC, and should provide a real test for the holders.
After leading Southland 24-0 at halftime in Palmerston North, Manawatu needed an Otere Black penalty on fulltime to sneak a 34-31 win in round two.
Taranaki flexed their muscles with a comprehensive 55-28 thumping of Hawke’s Bay in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Marty McKenzie scored a try and banged over seven conversions and two penalties to finish with a 25-point haul.
The Magpies led 14-10 at the break, but a woeful second half defensive display allowed Taranaki to power home to sit one point behind Canterbury in the premiership section after two games.
Auckland bounced back from their 43-3 hiding by Canterbury in round one to beat Northland 37-15 at Eden Park on Friday night.
Former All Blacks flanker Steven Luatua scored a brace of tries in the match, and his side will now travel to Invercargill to take on the struggling Stags in round three.
With a classy 44-21 win against Wellington under the roof, Otago showed they are serious contenders in the championship section.
The blue and golds outscored the Lions five tries to three and have picked up maximum points from their first two games.
In the final match of the round, Counties Manukau withstood a late comeback to edge Bay of Plenty 39-34 in Pukekohe.