Huge sigh of relief as Ranfurly Shield remains in Christchurch

CANTERBURY 16 OTAGO 13

Try-scoring hero Justin Marshall says Canterbury are hugely relieved to have the Ranfurly Shield safe in the trophy cabinet for another summer after a tense win over Otago in the final challenge for 2002.

Marshall, who also kicked a drop goal, played a major role in the 17th defence of Canterbury's shield tenure.

"I wouldn't like to go through that too many times," the All Black halfback said.

"We were under a lot of pressure, but fortunately we dug deep and held them out."

Marshall paid tribute to Otago's "top-notch effort," but said he had expected nothing less from the challengers in a match marred by wet, cold weather.

"The last four or five games we've played against Otago have been crackers, whether it's been the final or semifinal of the Super 12, or the NPC, or the Ranfurly Shield."

Canterbury were able to draw on their record of success against Otago.

"We've had tough battles with them in the past, but we've managed to get the edge and that would have been, I suggest, sitting in the back of their minds," Marshall said.

"As long as we didn't let them get away with too much, they'd be thinking, 'These guys are coming at us again,' and eventually we did, and it paid off."

Canterbury took more than an hour to break down Otago's organised defences.

Otago were the more composed, patient side in a first half littered with errors.

The challengers more than matched the holders in the scrums, at the lineouts and the loose.

While it was not a night for sparkling back play, Otago also caused Canterbury problems on the inside channel.

First five-eighth Blair Feeney made some useful dabs, halfback Danny Lee more than made up for Byron Kelleher's absence, and second five-eighth Seilala Mapusua made big inroads.

Otago's defence was magnificent, with Taine Randell, Kelvin Middleton and Josh Blackie tackling everything that moved, lock Filipo Levi throwing himself about willingly, and prop Carl Hoeft having a huge game in his 200th first-class appearance.

Collectively, they contained the best attack in New Zealand rugby, which had scored 15 tries in their last two outings, for more than an hour until Marshall's breakthrough try.

Otago had a deserved 7-6 lead at halftime, scoring a try in the 30th minute when Mapusua went through the tackles of David Hewett and Greg Somerville as Canterbury were caught short at a ruck near the tryline.

Canterbury had only an Andrew Mehrtens' penalty and Marshall's 34th-minute drop goal to show for their efforts.

"We were a little disappointed [at halftime]," Marshall said. "We didn't feel like we were in the game. In the second spell we just wanted to carry the ball."

Canterbury drew on their immense experience to control possession after the break, while Otago lacked someone with Mehrtens' precision in putting the ball into the corners and keeping his side on the front foot.

The All Black first five-eighth was not at his best in general play, but the power in his punt was vital for the home team.

Feeney kicked penalties in the 43rd and 55th minutes for Otago to extend their lead to 13-6 before Canterbury launched their comeback.

The holders' only try came in the 65th minute when Marshall dotted down under the crossbar after nine consecutive phases sparked by several surges from No 8 Scott Robertson.

Mehrtens kicked the conversion to tie the score at 13-13 and then landed the match-winning penalty from 22m.

Otago attacked hard for the final nine minutes, but desperate Canterbury defence held them out.

Saturday night's match was the 15th time Canterbury and Otago had met in a Ranfurly Shield challenge since 1931, and the sixth decided by four points or fewer.

- NZPA