Canterbury on a higher plane as history beckons

By WYNNE GRAY

The talk of the playoffs is whether any side can bury the Cantabs.

For the past few weeks, Canterbury have been playing a quality of rugby on a level above the rest of division one.

But they will also be wary of NPC history, which shows that since the playoffs were introduced in 1992, no side has defended the Ranfurly Shield throughout the season and also claimed the first-division title.

The holders are looking for the double after seeing off Waikato, the last of the shield challengers, with a dismissive 52-19 victory.

Their semifinal opponents are Auckland, who secured the vacant playoff berth yesterday when they cleaned out Counties Manukau 69-17 at Eden Park.

Once Waikato failed to gain any points against Canterbury, Auckland's task was simple. Win and they were in.

But they will be returning to the scene of their comprehensive defeat in a shield challenge a fortnight ago.

Auckland coach Wayne Pivac said they had gained some confidence from the way they moved the ball round yesterday.

"I feel we did not fire any shots last time," captain Xavier Rush said, "but this is a big game and we want to show we are a strong force."

Harbour have hung on to qualify second and gain the home-ground advantage for their semifinal against an Otago side who are hinting at a strong run home.

In the wet of Invercargill, Harbour struggled to defuse a spirited Southland team but they did collect the maximum points.

"I'm happy with the win but I'm not happy with the performance," said Harbour coach Wayne Shelford. "It was not a great dress-rehearsal for the semifinal."

Otago tamed the wet and relied on tactical kicking from Tony Brown and their feisty forwards to nullify a listless Wellington.

Bay of Plenty will host division two champions Hawkes Bay on Sunday. The loser will join Counties Manukau in the lower grade next season.