Rugby: Canterbury go top on back of shield win

Michael Paterson scores a try in Canterbury's 36-16 win over Otago at AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Photo / Getty Images

The fear of failure spurred Canterbury to success as they launched their latest reign with rugby's Ranfurly Shield in winning style.

Canterbury comfortably repulsed Otago's challenge 36-16 in Christchurch, adding five more Air NZ Cup points to their collection as they ended the seventh round of the domestic competition sharing first place with Southland on 24 points.

Otago remain stuck in the pack in ninth place after their second failed shield bid this season following an earlier loss to Wellington. The result marked Otago's 21st shield defeat since they last held it in 1957.

Without the All Blacks stars who were so influential in their winning the shield off Wellington a fortnight ago, Canterbury cut a conservative cloth to suit their purposes today.

It was a clinical gameplan which served them well in the first half as they led 15-9 on the back of tries to first five-eighth Stephen Brett and flanker Michael Paterson.

Otago were resolute and determined but limited although they stayed very much in the contest thanks to three penalties to rookie first five-eighth Glenn Dickson.

The match was still up for grabs at the interval but this changed quickly after the resumption when Canterbury scored a decisive try to midfield back Tim Bateman, who hit a short ball from Brett at pace after the first-five made a half break inside the 22.

The try and Brett's simple conversion gave Canterbury a commanding 22-9 advantage, which was slashed to 22-16 midway through the spell when a controlled lineout drive ended with a try to prop Keith Cameron.

A sideline conversion from replacement first-five Michael Witt breathed fresh life into the match entering the final quarter, but Canterbury were up to the challenge as they responded in style with a fine try to replacement centre Casey Laulala.

Former All Black Laulala made a clean break from 25m out then calmly palmed off Witt en route to the tryline to present Brett with another easy conversion in the 63rd minute.

That restored the home side's 13-point lead but Otago were not done yet even if they largely ignored their most potent back, wing Karne Hesketh, as they chose instead to attack around the forward fringes.

But that alone was never going to be enough to lower Canterbury's colours, and the home side had the last say when they converted a turnover into their fifth try in the 80th minute, to another replacement in loose forward Ash Parker.

Wellington, Sept 12 NZPA - Result of an Air NZ Cup/Ranfurly Shield rugby match in Christchurch today:-

Canterbury 36 (Stephen Brett, Michael Paterson, Tim Bateman, Casey Laulala, Ash Parker tries; Brett pen, 4 con) Otago 16 (Keith Cameron try; Glenn Dickson 3 pen, Michael Witt con). Halftime: 15-9.

- NZPA