Canterbury beat Taranaki 46-15

Canterbury reached where they believed they should have been from the start of the NPC rugby season after they whipped Taranaki 46-15 in New Plymouth tonight.

They were back on top of the competition for the first time this season, even though the lead was likely to be temporary.

Waikato are expected to regain the top spot after the completion of their game against Northland in Hamilton tomorrow.

As against North Harbour last week, Canterbury trailed from the start, down 0-12 after forward Brent Thompson and winger Shayne Austin scored a try each and fullback Daryl Lilley kicked a conversion to put Taranaki in front.

It took 22 minutes before Canterbury scored their first points, through a Ben Blair penalty goal.

However, they ran in six tries, two through hooker Mark Hammett, when they found their rhythm.

Fullback Blair also crossed for Canterbury's first try and converted it before midfield back Aaron Mauger's try a minute from halftime finally nudged them ahead in the game.

They added four more tries in the second half, through centre Mark Robinson, halfback Justin Marshall and two by Hammett to shut Taranaki out completely.

Blair scored 21 points from his try, two penalties and five conversions.

The game was held up for nearly 20 minutes when power failed.

Canterbury have 30 points, Waikato 29, Otago 28 and Auckland 22 points at the top of the first division.

Canterbury (Mark Hammett 2, Aaron Mauger, Mark Robinson, Justin Marshall, Ben Blair tries; Blair 2 pen, 5 con)

Taranaki 15 (Brent Thompson, Shayne Austin tries; Daryl Lilley pen, con). Halftime: 17-12.

- NZPA