Rugby: Cantabs repel Tasman

Stephen Brett. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury 25
Tasman 21

All Blacks Andy Ellis and Corey Flynn heaved sighs of relief, as did Canterbury after they repelled tenacious Tasman in Christchurch last night.

Canterbury scored three tries to two to gain their third win in four games but it was a close-run thing against a Tasman team which punched above its weight.

If this was big brother against little brother, the little brother was uncommonly stubborn.

Tasman might be on death row of the premier division, because of administrative dictates, but their players are remarkably chipper about it.

The good news for Canterbury was that Ellis and Flynn played the last 25 minutes and, although they did not advance the scoreboard, they emerged unscathed. Halfback Ellis was playing his first game since fracturing ribs during the Super 14 and hooker Flynn his first match since breaking an arm back on February 21.

"I was a bit worried I'd forget what to do," Ellis said later. "It was just great to get back into things. I feel good. It was quite frantic and hectic. I made a couple of tackles and got caught in a few rucks.

"I didn't feel the ribs at all. It's probably the first time for almost a year I have played without injections. When my ribs were bad, it was really uncomfortable going into tackles but there was no problem tonight.

"Corey got through his time as well so he is feeling good about that."

Stephen Brett was the outstanding Canterbury individual as he displayed the vision, class and confidence that have had many tout him as a future All Black.

Tasman, while they suffered their first loss in three games,still had reason to stand tall. Jonathan Poff and Mark Bright were outstanding loose forwards, the tight five (anchored by prop Ben Franks) toughed it out all game and there was plenty of inventiveness among such backs as Kahn Fotuali'i, Andrew Goodman (whose missed his first goal in 13 attempts after kicking four from four), centre Kade Poki and fullback Robbie Malneek.

The Canterbury forwards looked brittle at times, but they survived. Canterbury took their points tally to 14 after four rounds. Tasman are on 10 and worth every point.

Canterbury built a 17-0 lead in as many minutes but Tasman battled back to trail by only 22-16 at halftime.

Canterbury's three tries were all from long-range. Sean Maitland showed his soccer skills in a kick and chase from 60 metres; Brett his class with a dummy and sharp acceleration from 30 metres; and Tu Umaga-Marshall his strength as he beat the tackle of Dan Perrin and raced 50 metres to the line.

Fotuali'i darted through on the open side for Tasman's only try of the first half and right wing James Kamana scored 10 minutes into the second when he fended off the tackle of Slade after a break by the deceptive Goodman.

There was no scoring for the last half hour. Canterbury might have deserved the victory, unconvincing as it was in parts, but Tasman certainly merited a bonus point.

Canterbury 25 (S. Maitland, S. Brett, T. Umaga-Marshall tries, C. Slade 2 cons, 2 pens); Tasman 21 (K. Fotuali'i, J. Kamana tries, A. Goodman con, 3 pens). HT: 22-16.