Canterbury’s tight battle for NPC title
It’s a while since Steve Hansen was Canterbury coach but he’s still having an influence over the red-and-blacks’ fortunes.
The 19-strong All Blacks’ wider squad don’t join Hansen and company in Japan until after the Mitre 10 Cup finals. And, as luck would have it, five of those 19 players are from Canterbury with the three other finalists – Auckland, Waikato and Otago – contributing a combined total of one. Otago hooker Liam Coltman is also in the 19 but, between All Blacks commitments and injuries, has rarely featured in recent seasons.
For those thinking this is a genuine conspiracy, I jest. Hansen hasn’t jacked the itinerary up to ensure Canterbury capture yet another NPC title but there’s no doubt the presence of forwards Luke Romano and Luke Whitelock will make a massive difference to the team’s hopes of topping Auckland in the premiership decider.
Romano produced a magnificent performance, as Canterbury came from behind to beat Tasman 21-16 in Friday’s semifinal, while Whitelock is one of the few No 8’s with the defensive capabilities to potentially keep Akira Ioane quiet.
Without those two, along with halfback Mitchell Drummond, who runs everything, and fullback George Bridge, who’s the main attacking threat, Canterbury would be no chance.
First five-eighth Brett Cameron is the fifth player off to Japan but, for now at least, can’t be mentioned in the same breath as the great Canterbury No 10s who have gone before him.
As for Romano, he was the dominant second-half figure against Tasman. Mako prop Wyatt Crockett had bossed the first 40 minutes but Romano, with all his grunt and guile and history of winning when it matters, then took over proceedings.
If others such as Mitchell Dunshea and Reed Prinsep can follow him, and Cameron kicks a few goals, then Canterbury are a chance.
As for Auckland, they produced a complete performance in beating Wellington 38-17 on Saturday.
It all started with their scrum, which gave Ioane the perfect platform to launch from. Conversely, that dominance meant Wellington were rarely able to get anything going.
Backs such as Salesi Rayasi, Tumua Manu, Melani Nanai, Harry Plummer and TJ Faiane get plenty of praise but it’s Auckland’s unheralded tight-five who’ve served them best. Marcel Renata just gets better and better at tighthead prop, while loosehead Sam Prattely has been steady and locks Fa’atiga Lemalu and Michael Fatialofa are just relentless.
You don’t associate those qualities with Auckland teams of recent vintage but there really is a solidity about this side.
Canterbury bank on winning the ascendancy up front, but there’s no guarantee they’ll get it at Eden Park.
Meanwhile, Waikato will host Otago in the championship final on Friday.
Otago left it very, very late to get past a very plucky Hawke’s Bay outfit, at Forsyth Barr Stadium while Waikato overwhelmed Northland 48-26 in the other semi. In theory, Waikato ought to be favourites, but it’s barely a week since Otago went to Hamilton and nicked the Ranfurly Shield off them.
On that basis, anything could happen in this final as well.