Canterbury v Otago: Canterbury battle back to win first NPC title since 2017

Canterbury celebrate their NPC title. Photo / Photosport.

Canterbury have signed off their era at Apollo Projects Stadium with a come-from-behind 36-28 triumph over Otago to win their 15th National Provincial Championship title.

Canterbury trailed by four points at the break, but three tries in 13 minutes laid the platform for the win as they claimed their first championship since 2017.

Almost 18,000 fans packed the temporary stadium – now in its 14th season – with Canterbury set to play their matches at Te Kaha next season as the new venue is set to open in April 2026.

The win also means captain Tom Christie, who is off to play for the Newcastle Red Bulls in the English Premiership, signs off a winner in his last game in New Zealand.

Christie is one of three Canterbury players, along with Braydon Ennor and Daniel Lienert-Brown, who are the only ones left from the side that won in 2017 when they beat Tasman in the final.

For Otago, their wait for a title goes on, having last won 27 years ago when they beat Waikato in 1998.

The visitors had the wind behind their backs in the first half and should have probably made the most of that advantage.

In a frantic opening 10 minutes, Otago opened the scoring when Thomas Umaga-Jensen crashed over the line from a play started at the lineout, but the hosts struck back immediately with Dallas McLeod scoring in the corner after 15 phases.

Otago kept pushing but they struggled to break Canterbury’s defence. They were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and instead of going for the three points, they took a scrum and were rewarded when Lucas Casey dived over to extend their lead.

Canterbury refused to relent and Brodie McAllister drove over from a maul, but Chay Fihaki was unable to convert, with the ball blowing wide in the breeze.

The rest of the first half was intense and physical and Otago took a 14-10 lead into the break.

Canterbury came out swinging to start the second half with Manasa Mataele, Ennor and Louie Chapman all scoring in quick succession to give them a 17-point lead.

Otago refused to give up and were rewarded when Benjamin Lopas scored, but any chance of a fightback was short-lived and Canterbury sealed victory when Gus Brown grabbed his first career try.

Jona Nareki scored a consolation try for Otago but Canterbury did enough to become the kings of New Zealand rugby once again.

The result means Canterbury finished the season with one loss, which was to Otago when they claimed the Ranfurly Shield.

Canterbury 36 (Dallas McLeod, Brodie McAllister, Manasa Mataele, Braydon Ennor, Louie Chapman, Gus Brown tries; Chay Fihaki 3 con).

Otago 28 (Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Lucas Casey, Benjamin Lopas, Jona Nareki tries; Cam Millar 3 cons, Finn Hurley con).

HT: 14-10

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.