Election shades weekend's other big two-horse race

Canterbury fans obviously expect the closest of contests tonight.

Thousands are giving Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield defence against Waikato at Jade Stadium a giant swerve to watch the election results unfold on television.

Just 16,000 match tickets had been sold by the close of business last night, almost 20,000 below the ground's capacity.

Waikato loom as Canterbury's toughest challengers since they lifted the shield off Bay of Plenty last year.

Canterbury may be unbeaten in the NPC this year but they have six All Blacks out and Waikato have their full contingent available, including halfback Bryon Kelleher and bruising loose forward Sione Lauaki.

Waikato coach Warren Gatland this week insisted no Canterbury team could be taken lightly and their set-piece and second-phase play had been strong all season.

He conceded, though, that the absence of their All Blacks did weaken the home side.

"I don't think [Canterbury have] got the same firepower at the moment with a lot of their players out, compared to Auckland, and I think, from that, we can gain just a little bit of confidence."

If Canterbury play as poorly as they did in their last shield defence - the 13-11 win over Taranaki - Waikato supporters could be in for a big weekend.

But if they build on a much-improved effort at Whangarei last week, Canterbury should retain the shield.

Canterbury co-coach Rob Penney said the "'underdog factor" was not an issue for Canterbury's players who were "excited" at the prospect of a muscular Waikato challenge.

"They understand Waikato have brought their A game, and we've got some guys who haven't experienced this before. They are really looking forward to it."

Penney presides over a pack who have earned their spurs this year.

All Black tighthead prop Campbell Johnstone and lock Kevin O'Neill have thrived on regular NPC action and rookie lock Craig Clarke did so well against Northland he has kept out George Naoupu for another week.

Canterbury's tight five have been as good as any this season.

Their scrum, bolstered today by the return of hooker Corey Flynn, has been solid and the lineouts have been secure, even when skipper Reuben Thorne was absent.

Penney said he was "pretty pleased" with the pack but he still felt "there's a truckload of growth left in them yet".

"They performed really well in the wet last week, but [tonight] is a different type of cauldron."

Penney was mindful that Waikato had a solid front row with Scott Linklater at hooker and Deacon Manu now "a legitimate tighthead".

Their locks and loose forwards were a real strength and offered "a lot of experience".

Jono Gibbes returns at lock after being plagued by a foot injury all year although Gatland doubts he will last the full 80 minutes.

* Christchurch, 7.35 tonight

Canterbury

Ben Blair
Steven Yates
Casey Laulala
Caleb Ralph
Scott Hamilton
Cameron McIntyre
Andrew Ellis
Mose Tuiali'i
Johnny Leo'o
Reuben Thorne (c)
Kevin O'Neill
Craig Clarke
C. Johnstone
Corey Flynn
Wyatt Crockett

Waikato

Sosene Anesi
Richard Kahui
Keith Lowen
David Hill
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Stephen Donald
Byron Kelleher
Steven Bates
Marty Holah
Sione Lauaki
Sean Hohneck
Jono Gibbes
Deacon Manu
Scott Linklater
P. Toleafoa

Canterbury: Tone Kopelani, Greg Feek, George Naoupu, Hayden Hopgood, Jamie Nutbrown, Steven Brett, Vilimoni Delasau.

Waikato: Aled de Malmanche, Nathan White, Toby Lynn, Liam Messam, Brendon Leonard, Dwayne Sweeney, William Ripia.

- NZPA