Rugby: Lion hearts worthy champions

By WYNNE GRAY

WELLINGTON 34 CANTERBURY 29

Turnovers and tackling - trademark Canterbury strengths - became Wellington weapons as they surged to their first NPC title for 14 years.

Questions about Wellington's ability to continue their exhilarating semifinal form evaporated in Christchurch on Saturday night as they responded to the immense pressure with a stunning 34-29 win.

They started fast with a Jonah Lomu try and ended with a defiant defensive effort to repel Canterbury's drive for the trophy treble of Super 12, Ranfurly Shield and NPC silverware.

Once more, Wellington's tight five were resolute enough to allow their pacy and skilled loose trio time to scavenge possession for the Fab Four in the outside backs.

This time the quartet operated with Tana Umaga at centre and Brad Fleming on the wing as Alama Ieremia sat out threequarters of the game.

First five-eighths David Holwell had a grand match, running his backline strongly, defending with his usual strength and kicking seven from eight shots.

Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and Kupu Vanisi shaded their opposites to the breakdowns and made a number of vital turnovers, an area where Canterbury has been so effective for most of the season.

But the trio were not all speed and grovel - they tackled strongly and also revealed their running and kicking skills.

It was a mix of cerebral and power rugby.

Umaga showed his immense ability, the sort of performance that will make him a certainty as the player of the year.

He consistently makes mini-breaks at least and always looks to offload the ball, while his defence does not seem to be a problem.

With the lateral tackling screens now, the only time he would be required to play as a traditional centre would be from scrums.

Canterbury raised their level from their previous two matches but were still short of their usual sharpness.

Ben Blair goaled every chance he had, Andrew Mehrtens banged over his one penalty from 50m but the first five-eighths lacked top-class incision.

Try-scoring machine Marika Vunibaka was out to lunch and usually out over the sideline.

The pack swamped Wellington in the lineout but could not get over the top of them in general play.

Greg Somerville, Norm Maxwell and Sam Broomhall featured but the rest were negated.

The Wellington coaching staff of Dave Rennie and Graham Mourie had analysed Canterbury's game to perfection.

They expected Canterbury to look for territory and kick in behind, and had prepared for that and all the other Canterbury moves. The red and blacks were too predictable, too stereotyped.

Until the frantic final few minutes, Wellington covered most plays Canterbury threw at them.

For good measure they forced a couple of second-half turnovers which drew tries to Jason O'Halloran and Lomu.

O'Halloran's came when he backed up the remarkable Christian Cullen and Umaga for a 65m breakout try.

Then Lomu, gifted the ball about 50m out from the tryline, pushed off Vunibaka first and then, when the Fijian wing came again, carried him the last 15m for an astonishing try.

Holwell converted from the touchline for a 34-15 lead after all his delighted teammates had disentangled themselves from Lomu.

It turned out to be one of his many vital kicks as it forced Canterbury to go for a try in injury time rather than a penalty to take the match into extra time.

Only Canterbury could come back with 10 minutes left. Converted tries came for Mehrtens and Todd Blackadder as Canterbury found the ability to claim quick ruck ball which had deserted them for much of the final.

Wellington were tiring. They conceded four penalties in injury time and lost Dion Waller to the sinbin for a deliberate foul.

Then, with a double tackle on replacement wing Afato So'oalo, they were able to stop play and referee Paul Honiss ended their 14-year wait for an NPC triumph.