Waikato 20 Canterbury 33
KEY POINTS:
It is said that when Brian Epstein walked into the Cavern Club in the early 1960s and saw four mop-topped Liverpudlians belting out songs, he saw the future of music and it was The Beatles.
Those who clasped eyes on Canterbury's 21-year-old first five-eighth for the first time
last night could be forgiven for experiencing a similar epiphany.
Such was Stephen Brett's mastery in Hamilton last night the Shield was lifted from its ground-side table just 35 minutes into the challenge and you had to assume it was to engrave the word "Canterbury" once more into its plating. Take goalkicking out of the equation and he was near flawless.
It was also tempting to wonder whether the playmaker might have been better employed frolicking in the warm waters off Corsica than in the Air New Zealand Cup - but his time will surely come.
Canterbury sealed a desperately disappointing Waikato's fate inside the first 20 minutes, rattling in four tries. Brett and his cohorts took great pleasure in opening up Waikato's inexperienced backs and by the time the defenders started defending, the weight of Canterbury's return baggage had increased by however much a decent slab of oak weighs.
So Waikato, so impressive as challengers seven days ago, now share with Wellington the dubious honour of the shortest Shield reign. With such an experienced pack and a first five of their own in wonderful form, it wasn't expected.
The match-up between Brett and Waikato first five-eighths Stephen Donald, so impressive this season, was the tastiest in a mouth-watering fixture. But on the back of a dominant Canterbury front eight, it was something of a no-contest. Brett is more brilliant.
In the first minute, his half break and pass sent Rico Gear on a 50-metre dash that nearly resulted in a Mose Tuiali'i try.
From the ensuing scrum, he found Tim Bateman who needed minimal effort to shrug off James Kamana.
Corey Flynn's five-pointer was courtesy of a raking Brett kick that found the turf behind Roy Kinikinilau.
Gear then scored off a Brett offload and Scott Hamilton's came the phase after Brett's flat pass put Gear into more space.
There you go. Quarter of the match gone, four tries, all heavily influenced by the hand of Brett.
Donald, who was playing about as well as he was allowed, could respond with two penalties only. His team needed him, his province needed him, the bloke in the cherry-picker with the chainsaw most definitely needed him.
He responded, taking advantage of Bateman's ankle injury to throw an intelligent pass which put Roimata Hansell-Pune under the sticks unopposed. Game back on.
Donald then had another chance to hurt the visitors but in a moment that probably woke him several times during the night, he grubbered ahead watched Tuiali'i pick the ball up near his line and then missed the tackle. Less than 20 seconds later the ball was being placed under the sticks at the other end as, inevitably, Brett broke from deep and, with a choice of support players to reward, chose replacement Hamish Gard to send in.
This was no one-man show. If Brett was lead singer, then his rhythm section was on fire too.
Like Brett, Liam Messam is a bright, young thing for the future but last night he was a mere serf as big Tuiali'i lorded it over the turf. Tuiali'i has that rangy aspect to his game you expect from a modern No 8 but the work he does in close where gristle and bones collide is where he earns his keep.
If Rodney So'oialo was to break a leg over the next few weeks then the All Blacks would lose nothing by calling up the Cantab.
Hamilton and Gear have developed an extra-sensory combination in a short time, and in Kevin O'Neill and Isaac Ross, Canterbury have a willing and mobile second row.
But the chances are it will be Brett's deeds that are best remembered. Next year he will probably find himself in a jersey with 12 on the back so he can be accommodated next to Carter.
If that prospect does not send chills down the spines of rugby fans, and fear into the hearts of opposition coaches, nothing will.
For now though, Brett will be thinking only of Hawkes Bay, who visit AMI Stadium on Friday.
Waikato 20(R. Hansell-Pune, S. Donald tries, Donald 2 pens 2 cons), Cant'y 33(T. Bateman, C. Flynn, R. Gear, S. Hamilton, H. Gard tries; S. Brett 4 cons). Ht: 13-33.
