Canterbury reach NPC final to face Otago
- Dave Worsley
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
Canterbury have earned their place in an all-South Island NPC final, with a strong second half to beat Hawke's Bay 43-19 in their semi-final at Christchurch.
Second-five Dallas McLeod scored a quick double midway through the second half to to help with the win and secure the final hosting rights against neighbours Otago for the title next weekend.
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Canterbury took the initial advantage with an early penalty and then stretched that margin, when captain Tom Christie won a breakdown deep in his own half and sent winger Ngane Punivai in from long range.
Hawke's Bay No 8 Devan Flanders just missed a kick-and-chase try while at the other end, Punivai missed a try double, when marker Naria Fomai nudged him into touch before the corner flag.
From a penalty, the Canterbury forwards won a lineout and laid siege on the tryline, until lock Sam Darry barged over.
When Punivai was yellow-carded, the Magpies seized their chance, with Fomai capitalising on a turnover win by Flanders.
Canterbury were back to full strength, when Bay halfback Folau Fakatava dummied and dove across for their second try, as the 15-0 lead had all but evaporated.
The home side led 15-14 ahead and hadn't scored in 20 minutes, but they were the first to strike after the break, when Christie rumbled down the left touchline and McLeod was the first runner off the ruck.
McLeod then had his second, after a period of sustained pressure from a five-metre scrum. That one-two punch broke the shackles and prop Daniel Lienert-Brown was next to score, after Darry charged down an attempted clearance kick and skillfully controlled the deflection.
Wing Jonah Lowe grabbed one back for Hawke's Bay, but they weren't able to mount a serious comeback, as time ran out on their season.
Christie was finally rewarded for his hard, when he ran a winger's line to score in the dying seconds.
Canterbury have won nine NPC titles, since it was revamped in 2006, but last took the title in 2017 and have 14 titles dating back to 1976.
Otago are yet to win a title in recent times with the last of their two victories coming in 1998.
Canterbury 43 (Ngantungane Punivai, Sam Darry, Dallas McLeod 2, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tom Christie tries; Chay Fihaki 5 con, pen) Hawke's Bay 19 (Neria Fomai, Folau Fakatava, James Lowe tries; Lincoln McClutchie 2 con). HT: 15-14
