Two tries: Robbie Fruean
Canterbury recorded a 63-22 victory over Bay of Plenty on Sunday which sees them finish top of the table and set up a home semi with Taranaki.
The eight-try victory ensured the Cantabs would be top dogs going into 2012's knockout stages, which also includes Wellington and Auckland.
Robbie Fruean (2), Johnny McNicholl, Adam Whitelock, Joe Moody, Telusa Veainu, George Whitelock and Ryan Crotty all scored tries.
The scorers:
For Canterbury:
Tries: Fruean 2, McNicholl, A Whitelock, Moody, Veainu, G Whitelock, Crotty
Con: Taylor 5, Bleyendaal 2
Pen: Taylor 3
For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Power, Henry, Moran
Con: McCashin 2
Pen: McCashin
Canterbury: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock (capt), 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Joel Everson, 3 Paea Fa'anunu, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Luke Whitelock, 19 Jed Brown, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Telusa Veainu, 22 Stephen Gee.
Bay of Plenty: 15 Nick McCashin, 14 Lance MacDonald, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Carl Axtens, 7 Tanerau Latimer (capt), 6 Dan Goodwin, 5 Leon Power, 4 Keepa Mewett, 3 Mike Kainga, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Greg Pleasants-Tate.
Replacements: 16 John Pareanga, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 19 Matt Clutterbuck, 20 Curtis van der Heyden, 21 Simon Rolleston, 22 Maru Henry.
Referee: Keith Brown
Comments
Ferdie says...
passtheball -yep, 2012 will be the year of 'at least we made the semis' and 'we beat Canterbury', and the year that once a again 'cow beats bull'
but a deserved win on the day for Waikato, I've forgotten that game already!
There have been some good ITM matches, and some outright shockers, not hard to pick Canterbury, Auckland, Wellington making top 4 and likely those three again next year, with the fourth spot up for grabs.
Posted 05:27 16th October 2012
passtheball says...
Ferdie - it was the Mooloo thumping that took the wind from Naki's sails. Waikato went back to the old style and its worked for them. Plus the new players have settled in while Naki look tired.
Cant see anyone beating Canterbury - yet again. By the way, Hoeata showed his ill discipline, yet again.
Posted 14:05 15th October 2012
tha_mai says...
damo - cut down the number of teams? to what? there are only seven in the Premiership Division now.
Posted 11:31 15th October 2012
Ferdie says...
I don't hold out much hope for 'my' Taranaki this weekend v Canterbury. Despite winning the match just four weeks ago Taranaki seem very much to have lost their way lately, while Canterbury get better (worse!) each match.
Taranaki's showing v Wellington was disappointing. But I'll get over it.
Posted 00:59 15th October 2012
damo says...
Woww a close one eh, considering there was 50 odd points between sides before the couple of consolation tries, ITM needs to cut down the competition to less teams or else they should just not show it on TV!!! Mcnicoll is the best 15 in world rugby
Posted 14:39 14th October 2012
passtheball says...
Wellington are playing well but Canty look unstoppable.
Classic halftime comment by Greg Pleasants Tate - that BOP's main task was to stop Canterbury cheating. They failed.
Posted 12:00 14th October 2012
cuw3100 says...
Oh my !!! these guys average 42 points a match (against 13).
Why no other team comes close to such stats ?
Posted 08:48 14th October 2012