Rugby: Carter happy with body, upset at loss

Daniel Carter of Canterbury attacks during the Air New Zealand Cup match between North Harbour and Canterbury. Photo / Getty Images

Air NZ Cup
North Harbour 22
Canterbury 19

Dan Carter wasn't too sure whether he should be laughing or crying after his much anticipated return to first class rugby for Canterbury in last night's match against North Harbour at Albany.

The Achilles tendon Carter injured while playing in France came through unscathed, a signal that a comeback to the All Blacks might not be too far away, perhaps after one or two more games at provincial level.

But despite the fact he played with much of his old class his Canterbury side started its defence of the national championship title it won last year with a narrow loss to a North Harbour side which in 2008 had a horror run and didn't even make the quarter-finals.

"I do have mixed feelings," Carter said. "The body's feeling good and it was good to come through unscathed, but it is disappointing to have had a loss like that."

Carter's contribution to the Canterbury performance was significant. He kicked four penalties and a sideline conversion of left wing Sean Maitland's first spell try and generally found space with his kicking to show that his potent left boot was not feeling the effects of the injury.

And early in the second spell he showed his skill as an attacker with a dab and a fend to put Maitland again in the clear, only for his pass to be ruled to have floated forward.

Carter was dragged from the field with 16 minutes left and replaced by Steven Brett and that proved to be a major factor in Canterbury failing to grab a draw, at least, and perhaps a win. For Brett after just a few minutes on the field missed a penalty which would have been a formality for Carter.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney did not use this as an excuse nor did he appear too regretful about subbing the champion first five-eighths, pointing out that it was Carter's first hit-out at this level for many months. In Brett, Canterbury had a quality replacement.

While most of the focus was on Carter's return, Harbour deserved credit for their win and especially their pluck on defence and their ability to contain the Canterbury pack. Clearly new coaches Craig Dowd and Jeff Wilson have already instilled some steel which in the past couple of seasons has been missing in Harbour sides.

And typifying the grit of the side on defence was a huge hit early in the game by centre George Pisi on Canterbury fullback Colin Slade. "That really lifted our side," Dowd said.

And Carter's young opposite number, Mike Harris, demonstrated kicking as accurate as the master. He missed only one attempt at goal and gave Harbour the win two minutes from time with his penalty from almost 40 metres out.

"It's always good to start with a win, especially against the champions," Dowd said afterwards.

An hour or so before kickoff there was a torrential downpour and showers during the match meant conditions were greasy and difficult and neither side achieved any attacking momentum. And even though each coach, Dowd and Penney, was guarded in his comments, neither side appeared to be totally happy with the zealous way Auckland referee Jonathan White controlled scrums and lineouts.

The first spell was especially nondescript and seemed to be not much more than a penalty shoot-out exercise between Harris and Carter.

Though there were only 10 penalties, most were within kicking range. Carter landed three of four attempts and Harris all five of his five attempts. Maitland's try came late in the spell when halfback Tyson Keats won the chase to Maitland's kick-ahead and put the wing away to make the halftime score 16-12 in Canterbury's favour.

If a try had been awarded after Carter's break to put Maitland away early in the second spell, Canterbury might have clinched a victory. But from then on, a spirited Harbour defence kept Canterbury out and their only score was Carter's fourth penalty.

At 19-12 ahead Canterbury had enough territory and enough chances in the second spell to have taken an unassailable lead, but they couldn't find any way through the defence.

In the 58th minute the home side drew level when, after an initial burst by lock Filo Paulo, sound work by the midfield backs Pisi and Andrew Mailei put wing Anthony Tuitavake in at the corner.

Harris converted that from sideline then stepped up to be the hero of the night with the final penalty.

North Harbour 22 (A Tuitavake try; M Harris con, 5 pens) Canterbury 19 (S Maitland try; D Carter con, 4 pens). Halftime: 12-16.