Canterbury annihilate Auckland

Winner: Steve Fualau celebrates his try

Canterbury outclassed the defending Air New Zealand Cup champions at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday, running six unanswered tries past Auckland on the way to an emphatic 34-3 victory.

The win gave Canterbury its fourth win against Auckland from their last five encounters.

The sole loss came when Auckland took the Ranfurly Shield from Christchurch last season.

Canterbury were worthy winners, dominating most of the match, particularly in the forwards, where loose forwards Mose Tuiali'i, Kieran Read and Hayden Hopgood made major contributions.

The defeat could have been even heavier for Auckland if Canterbury's first five-eighth Colin Slade had kicked more than two goals from his seven attempts.

The scorers:

For Canterbury:

Tries: Williams, Paterson, Hamilton, Crockett, Crotty, Fualau

Cons: Slade 2

For Auckand:

Pen: Munro

Canterbury: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 James Paterson, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Hayden Hopgood, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Nasi Manu, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Kosuke Endo.

Auckland: 15 Jamie Helleur, 14 Jarek Goebel, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Ben Atiga, 11 David Smith, 10 Lachie Munro, 9 Brenton Helleur, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Stanley Haukinima, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.

Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Nick White, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Ash Moeke, 22 Mapa Tuipulotu.

Referee: Chris Pollock