Robbie Fruean of Canterbury on attack yesterday. Photo / Getty Images
Canterbury 42 Manawatu 15
Hat-tricks are rare in any sport and Canterbury were desperate to avoid an unwanted one yesterday.
Off the back of two consecutive defeats, the Red and Blacks were never going to lose this one but were made to fight all the way by a typically determined Manawatu outfit.
The hosts trailed for most of the first half, before two tries in three minutes provided some breathing space.
Manawatu's cause was not helped by the early loss of Aaron Cruden to injury, as the nuggety No 10 had sparkled in the first quarter.
The game was in the balance until the 64th minute, when Canterbury's third try gave them a 13-point lead. The eventual score was perhaps a little harsh on the visitors, with Canterbury running in four tries in the last 15 minutes.
With this victory, Canterbury are back on track and, with a bonus point, have some momentum to make their traditional tilt at the title.
Canterbury continued with their free-flowing approach but were often hampered early on by general inaccuracy and handling errors.
They also seem to have lost some confidence in their lineout, losing four on their own throw, often crucial ones in opposition territory.
But coach Rob Penney will be impressed with his team's persistence and delighted at putting on 34 unanswered points in a 50-minute spell.
Old Red and Black diehards would have been shaking their heads in the first quarter, as the home side adapted a helter-skelter approach. Passing and offloading at will is fine and enterprising but Canterbury seemed to disregard the old adage that you need to make the hard yards up the middle before you go sideways.
They were guilty of impatience in the first half; there was no doubt they had the guns to bust through the Manawatu defence but it was a matter of choosing the right moment.
The earthquake enforced shift to Rugby Park has presented a challenge as well - the enclosed, homely ground seems perfect for ITM Cup rugby but visiting teams, such as Southland last week and Manawatu yesterday, seem to also settle more quickly and be less daunted than in the days of AMI Stadium.
The Turbos soaked up the early pressure, then countered, halfback Aaron Smith scoring in the 16th minute after Cruden had cleverly stepped his way through on halfway.
Cruden limped off soon after with an apparent Achilles tendon strain. Manawatu lost some of their attacking thrust but none of their defensive determination.
The Turbos held out until the 37th minute, when Patrick Osbourne scampered down the left wing before sending halfback Willi Heinz over. Right on the bell, Canterbury extended their lead through Telusa Veainu, after Ryan Maitland had put Matt Todd through a hole with a precise inside ball.
After more Manawatu resistance, Brendon O'Connor dotted down in the 64th minute to make the game safe, the replacement flanker profiting after a strong Robbie Fruean break from 40m out. Tyler Bleyendaal and Fruean scored as the game opened up, before Smith grabbed a last minute consolation for Manawatu.
Ryan Crotty was a standout for the hosts, while rookie first five Tyler Bleyendaal continued the promising start to his career. Todd was benched early in the second half and after a sluggish start, the destructive Fruean came into his own in the latter stages. Doug Tietjens was everywhere for the visitors, while Johnny Leota marshalled their backline superbly.
Canterbury 42 (W. Heinz, T. Veainu, B. O'Connor, T. Bleyendaal, R. Fruean 2 tries, T. Bleyendaal 2 pens, 3 cons) Manawatu 15 (A. Smith 2 tries, A. Cruden con, pen). Halftime: 15-10.