Canterbury flexed their ITM Cup muscles in scoring seven tries to beat North Harbour 44-22 in Christchurch tonight.
The two-time defending champions struggled to find their rhythm through the first two rounds but moved up a gear in a lop-sided match which finished with a scoreline that flattered the visitors.
North Harbour scored the first try and crossed twice late in the piece but between times played second fiddle against a Canterbury side who enjoyed a decent edge at the set piece and the more dangerous running backs.
One of them was centre Robbie Fruean, who snared a halfback, including Canterbury's bonus point try with more than half an hour remaining.
Fruean and highly-skilled lock Isaac Ross were the pick of a Canterbury side operating at a level above Harbour, who lacked cohesion and ambition for long periods.
The visitors scored the opening try through first five-eighth Michael Harris and crossed late via centre Jack Tarrant and wing Josh York but then proceeded to concede two tries in the last three minutes -- to Fruean and Ross.
Both teams were coming off one-point wins but Canterbury, who started the round in fourth place enjoyed a far more effective kicking game than 11th-placed Harbour, based around the extra possession won by their pack.
Harbour first five-eighth Michael Harris had his team 10-3 after 12 minutes courtesy of a try, conversion and penalty.
However, the hosts warmed to their task and the tries followed through winger Sam Monaghan, flanker Matt Todd and Fruean before halftime - many created by the incisive playmaking of Colin Slade and Stephen Brett.
Young winger Telusa Veainu continued the rout after the break before the late glut of tries were sparked by Fruean.
