Canterbury 35-13 Tasman: Red and Blacks crowned champions of New Zealand
By Graeme Peacock
Last Updated: 28/10/17 1:29pm
Canterbury continued their dominance of New Zealand rugby by beating Tasman 35-13 in the Mitre 10 Premiership final in Christchurch on Saturday.
In a repeat of last year's final, the two Crusaders regional teams showcased all that is good about New Zealand rugby, throwing the ball around for a four-tries-to-one victory for the Red and Blacks, which was inspired by No 10 Richie Mo'unga, who scored 25 points.
The Makos dominated the early exchanges and put big pressure on the home team, which led to a try in the seventh minute in the corner through 116kg centre Levi Aumua, converted by Mitchell Hunt.
Tasman used the wind at their backs with great effect in the first half, with James Lowe causing havoc with some great solo runs.
Mitchell Hunt then extended the lead with a wind-assisted penalty to make it 10-0 to the visitors.
Enter Mo'unga, who scored two first-half tries - the second a world-class effort from the halfway line, beating numerous defenders which made it 12-10 to Canterbury after 25 minutes.
Another Hunt penalty gave the Makos a 13-12 lead in what was to be the last points scored by Tasman.
The Canterbury forward pack, inspired by hard-working captain Luke Whitelock, were immense and their superiority led to a flow of penalties that kept them on the front foot.
One of these penalties was kicked to the corner, and the resulting lineout and drive led to centre Tim Bateman running a great angled run to dot down next to the sticks. Mo'unga converted after the siren giving Canterbury a 19-13 lead as the teams went into the shed.
The creaking set-piece of Tasman was further exposed as the game went on after half-time, particularly at the lineout where they struggled to get quality first-phase possession.
Three further penalties put the home side out of sight at 28-13, but the final nail in the coffin was the 75th-minute try by replacement scrum-half Jack Stratton, which was converted by Mo'unga to make it 35-13. The conversion handed Mo'unga the record for the most points in a Mitre 10 Cup Final with a tally of 25 points.
Bateman paid tribute to the opposition before lavishing praise on his fly-half.
"Tasman were very good tonight," said Bateman. "Richie was outstanding."
Mo'unga said: "I am really proud of the boys. We have a really great culture at Canterbury."
The victory means Canterbury have now won nine of the last 10 Mitre Cup Finals, setting the benchmark in the home of the world champions.
