Classical themes rock, and roll, Lions

By CHRIS RATTUE

Wellington coach John Plumtree had all but waved the white flag with 25 minutes left in the NPC grand final against Canterbury.

In reality, there were signs that the traditional symbol of surrender could have been readied for unfurling before the halftime hooter at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.

Wellington are the rock and rollers of New Zealand rugby, playing in a stadium that boasts the biggest and most enthusiastic party-mood crowd in the country.

And as players from both teams walked through the tunnel after Canterbury's triumph, they were greeted with a teeny-bopper response that once was reserved for pop stars.

But it was the classical rugby themes that Canterbury played to such effect on Saturday night, winning the set-piece battles and turnovers, making the big hits around the fringes, and nailing early goal kicks to confound a Wellington team that was made to look second rate.

Wellington were left with a solitary advantage summed up in two short words: Ma'a and Nonu.

Three of their young test pretenders, Ross Kennedy, Conrad Smith and Neemia Tialata, had been nullified by the 60-minute mark. But for the chunky charges of Nonu, who wears No 11 but plays as a midfielder, Canterbury's domination would have been complete.

Nonu may have rough edges but he has power and timing to behold - and usually had too much for Canterbury to hold.

That apart, this was a great performance by Canterbury's hardened test veterans. They took the sting out of Wellington's start, removed the home-crowd factor, then clinically crushed an opponent who had lost once this season. It was far more imposing than the scoreline suggested.

Plumtree said: "With 25 to 30 minutes to go, we were probably out of the contest, which is quite a way to sit in the coaching box and put up with that. They were superb ... so accurate."

An untidy start suggested Canterbury might be off their game. Andrew Mehrtens was even penalised for calling referee Paddy O'Brien an "idiot" after he gave the red and blacks only a one-phase penalty advantage.

Early nerves, for sure, which also saw Canterbury passes bobble on the ground and Luke Andrews' 20th minute try, after charges by Nonu and Tana Umaga, give Wellington a 13-6 advantage.

This was when Canterbury sprung into action, and pressed towards what was just their fifth first division title and first since 2001.

Justin Marshall scored after the Wellington scrum had been dealt to. Then after Dave Hewett, Corey Flynn and Chris Jack rumbled upfield to create an Aaron Mauger try, Canterbury had a 20-13 halftime advantage.

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean sent on Brad Thorn for Norm Maxwell in the second half, increasing the power as his pack took charge.

Marshall scored again in the 43rd minute from a brilliant long-range move involving Mehrtens and Dan Carter. Between the 20th and 70th minutes, Canterbury scored 34 unanswered points before the well-beaten Wellington scrambled late points.

During this scoring blitz, a contender emerged for tackle of the year as the slender Mehrtens - stationed at fullback - cut down Umaga.

With the score at 30-13 in the 51st minute, Nonu - in a performance surely demanding he be nurtured for test action - fed the test captain who had only Mehrtens to beat. Against all odds, Mehrtens made a diving tackle.

"That was inspirational ... they could have mounted a comeback if they had scored then," said Marshall.

"I was coming across field and I must admit I was holding my breath."

Mehrtens reckoned: "Dave Hewett asked me if I'd tripped and that's what took his legs out.

"I'm pretty chuffed I managed to lower him ... I will look at it with some joy. It was like a tight forward getting a drop goal."

A Mehrtens moment to savour in an outstanding team effort led by captain Richie McCaw again.

Marshall said: "We've got a large core of guys who have been through a lot of footy together ... if we gel there aren't many teams who can beat us. Wellington couldn't get their game together, thankfully."

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