Canterbury 52 North Otago 8
This match was never really about the result. Canterbury were always going to retain the Ranfurly Shield, even though they looked anything but winners in the opening 20 minutes, which meant most interest centred on Colin Slade's return to rugby.
He lasted 40 minutes but that was all part of the plan. After spending so much time on the sidelines, and a lot of that eating food through a straw because of two broken jaws, there was little point risking him.
That's because a team who play in an all black jersey, rather than one with red stripes in it as well, might have big plans for him. Slade is being talked about as Dan Carter's back-up even though he's had a paucity of rugby this season.
Slade was good without being great. He guided the team well, created two tries with clever passing and was dangerous with ball in hand. A groin injury that ruled him out of club rugby last weekend meant he did little kicking out of hand and didn't kick for goal - those duties went to Tom Taylor, son of former All Black Warwick.
Slade didn't particularly invite contact but also didn't shirk the tough stuff. It would have been understandable considering his first comeback, in the Highlanders' defeat of the Rebels 11 weeks ago, lasted only four minutes. He will have chances to build into his work with Canterbury's ITM Cup campaign, starting with a visit to Auckland on July 17.
"It was good to get some minutes under my belt and to get the win," said Slade, who was watched by All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith. "It took about 10 minutes before I did anything but I made a few tackles and am really stoked how I went out there."
Canterbury coach Rob Penney said: "I thought he was superb. Given what he's been through in the last seven or eight weeks, his commitment to the tackle, high ball and breakdown showed how courageous he is."
Canterbury will be less pleased with yesterday's performance but they had 14 debutants among their squad of 23. They bumbled their way through the opening stanza and took 24 minutes before scoring.
Wing Telusa Veainu even suffered the indignity of being cut down by North Otago captain Ralph Darling, 40kg heavier at 125kg, when sprinting for the line.
Darling summed up the effort of the All Golds and he came desperately close to scoring a try - only for the referee to rule touch in goal.
North Otago were outclassed but far from disgraced - they enjoyed 58 per cent of territory and 60 per cent of possession - and one of the biggest cheers was for replacement prop Rob Mafileo, who rumbled over in the 74th minute.
No 8 Nasi Manu, so impressive for the Highlanders this season, was the standout for Canterbury and Taylor chimed in with 22 points.
Canterbury 52 (J. McNicholl 2, A. Parker, B. O'Connor, W. Heinz, K Hifo, P. Osbourne, T. Taylor tries; Taylor 6 cons) North Otago 8 (R. Mafileo try; B. Patston pen). HT: 26-3.
