Rugby: Canty cool house warming

Ryan Crotty of Canterbury is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Otago 16 Canterbury 29

They built it, they came, but Otago just could not deliver - and neither could Canterbury deliver themselves a home final in the ITM Cup.

Canterbury defeated Otago 29-16 at the brand new Forsyth Barr Stadium, after Otago led 13-11 at the break. Though they won, Canterbury couldn't earn a bonus point to gain a home final (Waikato beat them in pool play, the deciding factor for two tied teams) and will travel to Hamilton next Saturday night to face Waikato.

But this match was more about what was around and above the 30 men in the middle with the new Forsyth Barr Stadium taking centre stage. It really is a spectacular piece of architecture, and the game was watched by more than 14,000 last night; they also took great interest in their surroundings.

The permanent roof keeps out any storm coming off the South Pole and, although chilly, the crowd will never get wet. The stands are right on top of the field and in the digital age for once it seems being there beats being in the seat in the lounge.

The $200 million stadium has been the defining issue in Dunedin over the past five years. It looked doomed on many occasions and the financial ask appeared too much for a city founded on stringent Scottish principles. But despite meetings, marches and mismanagement accusations from its opponents, the momentum for the stadium was never stopped, and once given the go-ahead by the Dunedin City Council, construction started just over two years ago.

At times it looked a tight squeeze to get it ready for the World Cup and there was more gossip and conspiracy theories surrounding the construction than a Kennedy reunion. It would fall into the sea, the grass would not grow, the roof would crack, the money would never be raised - or so it was said.

But by March this year it had taken shape and last night one of its main tenants - the Otago rugby team - had its first crack in the new complex.

The home side took to the new arena like a duck to water and after withstanding some early Canterbury pressure it grabbed the first and as it turned out their only try of the game. Centre Ben Atiga found himself outside his opposite Robbie Fruean and pushed him off before feeding to Ben Smith who muscled his way over.

Canterbury did not panic and Ryan Crotty showed his class after 25 minutes when he sliced through a tackle. Stopped just short of the line, he fed Tyler Bleyendaal and the young first five-eighth scored.

Otago had chances in the first half but could not take them and, when Canterbury went ahead 15 minutes into the second half, things looked bleak for the home team. Classy Canterbury fullback Tom Taylor broke the game open midway through the second half, taking advantage of a sloppy Buxton Popali'i chip kick. He weaved through some tired Otago traffic and ran 60m to score.

Otago tried to get back into the game and replacement lock Rob Verbakel was pushed out into touch a metre from the line with seven minutes left. The home team continued to push but four minutes from time, Popoali'i threw a pass right into Robbie Fruean's hands and he raced 50m to seal the deal for Canterbury.

Taylor played well for Canterbury as did Crotty while Wyatt Crockett impressed as usual. Young Otago No 8 Gareth Evans continued his growth while halfback Sean Romans did little wrong.

Canterbury 29 (T. Bleyendaal, T. Taylor, R. Fruean tries, Bleyendaal 4 pens, con) Otago 16 (B. Smith try, G. Dickson 3 pens, con).