Canterbury pushed hard by Taniwha
Canterbury are into the NPC semifinals, but have a couple of fresh injury concerns to offset that delight, including one to fringe All Black Braydon Ennor.
The five-test utility limped off Orangetheory Stadium with what appeared to be a hip issue, in the 27th minute of the red-and-blacks’ tense 23-16 quarterfinal win over Northland in Christchurch yesterday evening.
The setback could affect his chances of making the All Blacks end-of-season tour squad, which is named today.
His exit came only six minutes after young lock Sam Darry had been invalided himself with a rib injury, with the double dose of misfortune dampening the mood of the hosts, who had raced to a 17-3 lead inside the first quarter.
With the wind at their backs in the first spell, Canterbury opened the scoring after just two minutes when Tamaiti Williams barged over off a lineout pop play, then with Northland down a man after Blake Hohaia’s yellow card for an ugly mid-air tackle on
Mitch Drummond, the hosts cashed in when a nice Chay Fihaki break led to Brodie McAlister charging over.
But Canterbury then had to withstand a gallant display from the Taniwha.
Northland hadn’t won in the Garden City since 1987, but in the end gave it a pretty decent nudge, even after knocking on from the secondhalf restart and seeing Fergus Burke slot another penalty for a 20-3 deficit.
When Jonah Mau’u went over from a pick and go in the 47th minute they were back in the game, and it was an arm-wrestle in the final quarter of an hour after Dan Hawkins had goaled to make the margin seven.
Huge maul defence to stop what looked a sure try gave the visitors confidence and even though All Blacks prop Ofa Tuungafasi got owned by former All Black Owen Franks at the
resulting scrum, Northland hung tough and Hawkins goaled in the 76th minute to make the margin four.
However, Tuungafasi was then the culprit for a high tackle, leaving Burke to slot a reply shot,
and while there was still time for the restart, the Taniwha couldn’t collect, and Canterbury breathed a sigh of relief.
The big moment
Tamaiti Williams early try off a nice lineout play set the tone for Canterbury and ensured Northland would be playing catch-up.
MVP
Canterbury first five-eighth Fergus Burke steered his side around well, and, crucially, in what became a tight contest, slotted
five from five off the tee.
Match rating: 6/10
Just three tries, but a stoic Northland side ensured things remained interesting.
The big picture
Canterbury have got themselves a home semifinal on Saturday night against the winner of today’s last quarterfinal between Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Northland, meanwhile, should take plenty of heart from a muchimproved season.