Canterbury cruise into semis

Canterbury try-scorer: Johnny McNicholl

Canterbury charged to top spot on the ITM Cup standings and are now assured of a place in the semi-finals after dispatching Hawke's Bay 44-3 at McLean Park on Wednesday.

It was another dominant performance from the defending champions, who outscored the relegation-bound Magpies six tries to nill.

Hawke's Bay opened the scoring early on through the boot of Andrew Horrell, but it was all downhill from there as Canterbury raced to a 25-3 lead at the break and never looked back.

Canterbury will now shift their focus to securing a home play-off next week when they face Bay Of Plenty in the final round of the competition on Sunday in Christchurch.

Hawke's Bay on the other hand will need to beat Waikato tbis weekend to not only lift the Ranfurly Shield but also avoid being relegated from the Premiership.

The scorers:

For Hawke's Bay:
Pen: Horrell

For Canterbury:
Tries: G Whitelock, C Taylor, McNicholl, Manu, L Whitelock, Todd
Cons: Taylor 5
Pens: Taylor 2

Hawke's Bay: 15 Gillies Kaka, 14 Maritino Nemani, 13 Marvin Karawana, 12 Andrew Horrell,11 Penikolo Latu, 10 Ihaia West,9 Isaac Paewai,8 Karl Lowe (capt), 7 Tivaini Fomai, 6 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 5 Maselino Paulino, 4 Ross Kennedy,3 Peter Borlase, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Brendon Edmonds.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Mitch Alcock, 18 Johan Schoonbee, 19 Adam Bradey, 20 Michael Ruru, 21 Star Timu, 22 Bronson Neera.

Canterbury: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 George Whitelock (c), 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Katene, 3 Paea Fa'anunu, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Joel Everson, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Kolio Hifo, 22 Stephen Gee.

Referee: Nick Briant