Canterbury grab another title

Another year, another title, and another dose of Scott Robertson’s break dancing.

Canterbury won their eighth national provincial championship title since 2008, after beating Tasman 43-27 in the Mitre 10 Cup premiership final in Christchurch last night.

The win ensured Crusaders bound head coach Robertson signed off in perfect style, winning a third title since taking over as Canterbury coach in 2013.

It was heartbreak for Tasman, who fell short at the final hurdle for the second time in three years, having lost the 2014 decider to Taranaki.

Tasman more than played their part in a free-flowing final, but ultimately they couldn’t deny Canterbury their 13th title. Only Auckland (16) has won more.

As he did after winning the title last year and in 2013, Robertson surrounded by his team - busted out some break dancing moves after the final whistle. ‘‘The boys won’t let me away with it. Once we did it a few years, it’s pretty much a staple now,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘I’m pretty happy if we win to do it.’’

Playing without injured centre Jack Goodhue, Canterbury outscored Tasman six tries to three and took a 22-13 lead into halftime.

They led for all but a few minutes of the match and didn’t waste anytime extending their lead after the break, as second five-eighth Rob Thompson, playing in his first game in six weeks, powered over in the 45th minute from close range.

Tasman had to go without veteran lock Alex Ainley for the first 10 minutes of the second half, after he was carded for a neck-roll on Canterbury fullback Johnny McNicholl at the end of the first half.

Referee Glen Jackson missed the foul play initially, but it came to his attention after a replay on the big screen enraged the Canterbury faithful.

But Tasman, which enjoyed large periods of the game on attack, struck back in the 56th minute through Waimate’s Billy Guyton, who finished off a lengthy stint inside the opposition’s 22.

Marty Banks converted to shut the gap to 29-20, but standout Canterbury No 10 Richie Mo’unga went through a gap a few moments later to cancel out Tasman’s try.

However, Tasman refused to go down without a fight and counterpunched yet again, as replacement hooker Jesse MacDonald went over with his first touch of the game.

‘‘We couldn’t put them away,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘We didn’t exit once or twice and they scored off it. It was a game of that, really. Poor exiting and taking opportunities.’’

Tasman coach Leon MacDonald, who is joining Robertson and the Crusaders as an assistant coach next season, echoed Robertson regarding exits.

‘‘We would crawl our way back into it and score a good try, but then struggle to get out of our own half again and gve them the ball back. We just couldn’t exit our own half. They put a lot of pressure on our kickers and we didn’t adjust very well out on the field.’’

Canterbury made the perfect start to the game, when big Aussie lock Dave McDuling, who only started because Scott Barrett is in Chicago with the All Blacks, dived over after 55 seconds.

McDuling did brilliantly to charge down a Marty Banks kick, before scooping up the loose ball and touching down out wide.

Canterbury were in for a second just five minutes later courtesy of winger Nathan Earle, who cashed in after Mo’unga put a perfect kick in behind the Tasman line.

Mo’unga, who had an outstanding game, picked up two tries with his speed and elusive running.