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Canterbury see off Southland in NPC


Canterbury have solidified their place in the top-eight of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) after a tough win in Invercargill.


The Red and Blacks scored six tries in a 41-29 victory over the Southland Stags at Rugby Park on Friday night to kick-off Round 6, improving to 4-0-3 and up to sixth in the standings on 20 points.


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Halfback Nic Shearer and wing Ngani Punivai scored a try in each half and former All Blacks Dallas McLeod and Ryan Crotty also crossed the line for the Cantabs, who did not secure the win until the 73rd minute.


The hometown Stags never led in the match but hung tough in lock Josh Bekhuis' NPC record 133rd match and All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot's return from injury, even when Canterbury threatened to run away with it.


Canterbury had Southland on the back foot from the get-go, with Shearer and McLeod scoring in the opening five minutes for a 14-0 lead.


The Stags replied with five-pointers from wings Michael Manson, back from injury, and Viliame Fine, while first-fives Shun Miyake and Byron Smith traded penalties, with the match tied 17-17 after 25 minutes.


Nic Shearer Canterbury rugby NPC
Halfback Nic Shearer scored two tries in Canterbury's win over Southland. PHOTO: CANTERBURY RUGBY

Southland lost lock Mitchell Dunshea to the sin-bin for making head contact in a tackle seconds before halftime and let Punivai in for his first in added-time, sending the visitors into the break up 24-17.


Shearer and Punivai each crossed for their second in the opening 10 minutes of the second spell, giving Canterbury a 36-17 lead.


However, Southland responded through replacement halfback Liam Howley and Fine with his second to get within a converted try, before 48-test All Blacks utility back Crotty went over after good lead-up work from Manasa Mataele and Chay Fihaki.


Canterbury host Counties Manukau in Christchurch on Saturday, September 21 (kick-off 2.05pm), while the Stags continue their 'Storm Week', travelling to Palmerston North to face Manawatu on Wednesday (kick-off 7.05pm).


Canterbury 41 (Nic Shearer 2, Dallas McLeod, Ngani Punivai 2, Ryan Crotty tries; Shun Miyake 4 con, pen) Southland 29 (Michael Manson, Viliame Fine 2, Liam Howley tries; Byron Smith 3 con, pen). HT: 24-17

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