“It was by no means perfect, so we’ll go away, we’ll keep working, but jeez, we’ll celebrate that one as well.”
The clash was Canterbury’s first defence with the Shield, having claimed it eight days earlier off Southland, winning 54-14.
Tasman opened the scoring at Apollo Projects Stadium through halfback Mitch Drummond in just the third minute. Canterbury hit back through James White, but Tasman immediately responded with captain David Havili crossing the line.
Back-to-back tries to Louie Chapman and Chat Fihaki gave Canterbury a 19-15 lead at the break.
Tasman scored two tries through Kyren Taumoefolau and Tomasi Maka to put them six points clear heading into the final 20 minutes and it took Canterbury’s big guns to stamp their mark.
All Blacks lock Sam Darry scored for the hosts in the 69th minute to set up a thrilling finish before Bell scored the winner.
Havili said it was a tough result to take.
“That’s Shield rugby for you,” he told Sky Sport. “It comes down to the wire and well done to the Canterbury boys, they stayed in it.
“It’s tough to swallow, but we’re trending, we’re on the way up and we’ll look forward to next week and go well.”
Canterbury will defend the shield again in six days, against Otago.
