Canterbury conjured up their best performance of the season to steamroll North Harbour 44-22 in Christchurch last night.
A third-round ITM Cup match of promising beginnings turned into a no contest as Harbour collapsed when it counted against the champions, who had struggled against Hawkes Bay and Manawatu in theiropening matches.
The famed Canterbury efficiency with the ball is a sight to behold, and Harbour also struck a mainly watertight defence. Rob Penney's side look primed to build through the season, another of the classic red and black traditions.
Discarded test lock Isaac Ross, who figured in fine open field work, and power centre Robbie Fruean were among the stars in the seven tries to three victory.
A brilliant late Colin Slade tackle to deny Ben Botica was needed to keep the margin so impressive.
Sensational ball retention and handling from Canterbury before halftime led to a Fruean try and a sturdy 22-10 lead.
This was never threatened in the second half. There had been outbreaks of aerial ping pong midway through the first spell but nightmarish visions of rugby 2009 style were set aside as Canterbury snuffed out a North Harbour breakaway, namely a James Parsons intercept, and swung back upfield with devastating precision.
Canterbury got stronger and stronger through the half, and North Harbour - who had owed their best moments to kicking - were squeezed out of the game.
Their 10th minute try to Michael Harris, when No 8 Richard Mayhew kicked ahead, gave them a 10-3 lead.
Canterbury struck back from the kickoff though, with Ross gathering the kick, and wing Sam Monaghan scoring without Harbour laying a hand on the ball. Messy North Harbour defence and clearance kicking led to Canterbury's second try to flanker Matt Todd in the 25th minute. North Harbour were not so safe and their kicking was haphazard.
There was a brief All Black scare when ever-injured hooker Corey Flynn needed attention to a neck problem. Flynn had black mark by his name with a stupid late charge which flattened Harris.
