Canterbury celebrate a Colin Slade try in their 28-20 victory over Wellington in the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup final. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury celebrate a Colin Slade try in their 28-20 victory over Wellington in the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup final. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury 28
Wellington 20

Canterbury efficiently retained rugby's Air NZ Cup when they beat Wellington 28-20 at Christchurch tonight.

The defending champions virtually sealed their fifth national title when fullback Colin Slade scored two sparkling tries in the first half.

With first five-eighth Stepehn Brett converting one and slotting two penalties, a lethargic Wellington were left with a mountain to climb.

Their only score came when first five-eighth Piri Weepu booted a penalty.

Wellington, runners-up the last two years, were unable to find their rhythm as their opposition dominated the contact area and the scrums in the first 40 minutes.

Their attacks were dented by slow ball from their rucks which Canterbury's pack attacked en masse.

Slade was outstanding in the first half -- he took every high bomb Wellington sent in his direction and was always an option for the man with the ball in free play.

His first try came when a promising Wellington attack sparked by wing David Smith was snuffed out in a turnover and lock Sam Whitelock found the fullback at his shoulder.

Slade easily galloped 60 metres unchallenged for his score.

The second try came when the ball sped across the backline from a lineout and hit Slade as he chimed in at pace to beat the defence from close range.

Weepu, with two inexperienced midfielders in Shaun Treeby and Alapati Leuia, outside him was unable to find any gaps to exploit and the ball rarely reached his wings. Smith was busy, but Hosea Gear never got into the game.

With an ample supply of ammunition, Canterbury's backs, celebrating centre Casey Laulala's final match before taking up a contract in Japan, ran with panache throughout the game.

Wellington came out with more intensity for the second half as they chased the scoreboard.

Wellington coach Jamie Joseph sent on hard running Dane Coles for hooker Ged Robinson, Fa'atonu Fili for fullback Apoua Stewart, and Scott Fuglistaller for No 8 Mathew Luamanu early in the second half.

The trio added some much needed spark as Wellington abandoned the kicking game and proved more of a threat with ball in hand.