Rugby: Ranfurly Shield safe for the season as Canterbury focus on title

Mascot Larry the Lamb celebrates Canterbury's win over Counties-Manukau. Photo / Getty Images

Normal service has resumed in Christchurch.

Canterbury safely locked away the Ranfurly Shield until next season following yesterday's 39-21 win against Counties-Manukau at Christchurch, which also sent the red and blacks five points clear atop the national provincial championship rugby standings after the penultimate round of regular season play.

Any points from their final match, against second-placed Waikato in Hamilton next Friday, would not only secure a home semifinal, but also a home final should they progress that far.

Canterbury looked in ominous touch as they defended patiently and attacked potently, especially through in-form midfield backs Robbie Fruean and Sonny Bill Williams, who continues to go from strength to strength.

The pair each scored a try in the bonus-point win, Canterbury's fourth successive victory of the championship also marking the first defence of their latest shield tenure.

Stand-in captain Brad Thorn was brimming at the prospect of holding the prestigious Log o' Wood over summer.

"Waikato will be a real test for us but that shield, you know, it's great to have it locked away for the summer and now it's on to the business end of the competition," the All Blacks said.

Waikato are second with 40 points following a last-gasp 27-25 win over lowly Manawatu in Palmerston North, the four points secured only with the final play of the game as first five-eighth Stephen Donald crashed over and converted his own try.

Auckland joined them on 40 points with a convincing 39-11 win against Otago in wet conditions at Auckland yesterday but Wellington were the big movers, boosting up to fourth on 38 points following a 49-15 home win against Taranaki last night. Wellington now have their fate in their own hands.

A win against Southland at Invercargill next Saturday would secure a semifinals spot, but they will have to do it without their All Black halfback, Piri Weepu, who broke his right leg while attempting a chip kick last night.

Ironically, Weepu was meant to be on a World Cup promotion tour but he requested to play for Wellington instead, the injury ruling him out of New Zealand's end-of-year tour to the Northern Hemisphere.

"He didn't have to play, but he put himself in the mix and we are grateful for what he has done," Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush said.

Weepu was to have an operation on his leg today, a Wellington spokesman said.

They would have a better idea of the recovery time required tomorrow but his season is over and he faces several months on the sidelines.

Taranaki and Bay of Plenty, who had an impressive 33-22 win against Southland at Mt Maunganui yesterday, are snapping at Wellington's heels, both with 37 points.

They have away matches against North Harbour and Northland, respectively, next week and would fancy their chances of breaking into the top four if Wellington slip up.

Meanwhile, Tasman continued their late season form and recent dominance over Northland with a spirited 34-29 win at Nelson on Friday night. Northland led 19-8 at halftime but four second-half tries saw Tasman take a 12-point lead, and they survived a late burst from the visitors to score a second successive win.

Hawkes Bay climbed to ninth with a 36-21 win against North Harbour at Napier yesterday.

- NZPA