Rugby: Champs remain perfect

Rob Thompson attempts to elude the attention of Charlie O'Connell during Canterbury's win over Otago. Photo / Getty

Otago 16
Canterbury 23

It was less convincing on the scoreboard but Canterbury's narrow victory over Otago tonight was almost as impressive as their early-round routs.

Unlike the first three weeks in the ITM Cup, the six-time defending champions never had things their own way at Forsyth Barr Stadium, still managing to eke out a 23-16 victory to retain a perfect record.

Canterbury had their game plan disrupted, an advantage up front negated and saw the opposition rack up a 13-point advantage before overcoming that adversity to solidify their position atop the premiership.

After accruing a competition-leading 154 points and 20 tries in their opening three victories, Canterbury's irrepressible running game was absent for much of the game. They were also unable to make the most of an injury-hit Otago scrum when the teams were forced to play golden oldies from the 18th minute.

But Canterbury never panicked, showing patience in attack and waiting for Otago to tire, certain the southern men would fade after all the early pressure applied. They were right, and enough of a gap eventually appeared in the home side's defence for Rob Thompson to score the decisive try shortly after the halftime break.

It was unfortunate for Otago that they couldn't sustain their strong start, slumping to a defeat that saw them remain second in the championship. They should still take some confidence into next weekend's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawkes Bay, given the scare they provided for the defending champions.

Otago's physicality proved too much for their opponents early on, though Canterbury would have been content in limiting the hosts' ascendancy to a pair of Hayden Parker penalties.

After Jayden Spence collected Parker's elusive grubber to cross, however, Canterbury had a real fight on their hands. But the champs came into the game as the half wore on, running with more authority to create an opportunity for Nasi Manu to pull his side within three at halftime.

That deficit was erased shortly after the break when Richie Mo'unga continued his perfect kicking record, before Thompson took advantage of a drained defence to seize the lead for good.

Otago 16 (Spence try; Parker 3 pens, con)
Canterbury 23 (Manu, Thompson tries; Mo'unga 3 pens, 2 cons)
HT: 13-10