Rugby: Upset in start to NPC action

Wellington 27 Canterbury 20

By WYNNE GRAY

The Cake Tin cooked up another beauty last night.

After the Wellington stadium reverberated with the frenzy of last week's Bledisloe Cup decider, the passion was transferred to the opening of the 25th season of the NPC.

Instead of a mournful crowd leaving the park, this time there was jubilation in the capital as Wellington, after a dodgy beginning, hung tough and then outlasted the competition favourites Canterbury.

It was an upset rather than a boilover as both teams were without their topline test players, though Canterbury were given some late help with four All Black reserves in their lineup.

The visitors made the best start and also staged a valiant last-quarter fightback, but 15 minutes either side of halftime Wellington controlled the game and scored enough points to give them the vital first-up victory and make amends for their one-point defeat when the same two teams met in the 1976 start to the NPC.

Wellington were given a huge impetus by loose forwards Filo Tiatia, Kupu Vanisi and Jerry Colins, good direction from fiesty halfback Jason Spice and the steady goalkicking from David Holwell.

Canterbury looked a shade disjointed, an impression which showed with some unusual defensive lapses.

But it was an enthralling game, played with all the pace and intensity which the All Blacks have brought to their rugby this season.

Canterbury made a rollicking start when they held the ball for several minutes before right wing Marika Vunibaka, on the advice of the touch judge, scored among a flurry of tacklers in the corner.

While video replays made their debut during the Super 12 they are not being used for the NPC because every game is not televised.

That opening Canterbury onslaught suggested it would be a hard night at the Cake Tin for the locals but they regained their composure quickly. First five-eighths David Holwell kicked two penalties but Wellington were finding it tough to crack the defence.

They almost conceded a 60m try when impressive new Canterbury No 8 Sam Broomhall, Ben Hurst and five-eighths Derek Maisey broke away to be denied when they knocked on within sniffing distance of the line.

The visitors then coughed up a try when Scott Robertson, who had been off twice for treatment, spoiled a hard-won turnover when his pass was intercepted in his own 22. Elvis Seveali'i ghosted in from his wing and had scored before Canterbury realised their error.

Just after the break, Tiatia and Inoke Afeaki broke some weak Canterbury defence for a lead which Canterbury were never able to recover.

Holwell' sideline conversion gave the home side a 13-10 halftime lead.

Pundits pick both sides to meet in this year's final.

Wellington 27 (E. Seveali'i, F. Tiatia, I. Afeaki, tries; D. Holwell 3 con, 2 pen)

Canterbury 20 (M. Vunibaka, B. Hurst, tries; B. Blair, con, pen; L. MacDonald, con, pen)). Ht: 13-10.