First grand final clash for southern neighbours

By WYNNE GRAY

For the first time since playoffs were introduced to the NPC, southern rivals Canterbury and Otago will square off for the title of the country's best provincial rugby side.

Both graduated to Saturday night's final in Christchurch after comprehensive semifinal wins against neighbouring unions Auckland and North Harbour.

Since the grand final concept began in 1992, Canterbury and Otago have won one crown each, Otago have been beaten finalists three times, and Canterbury were the runners-up last year.

Canterbury will be favoured to add to their 1997 title, but an improving Otago will rate their chances of regaining the crown they had in 1998, when they defeated Waikato.

This year's final has a cluster of sentimental issues. Canterbury are bidding farewell to captain Todd Blackadder and hooker Matt Sexton, while Otago are losing the intriguing Brendan Laney overseas and midfielder Pita Alatini to a transfer.

Then there are the coaches.

In one of the season's more curious twists, Canterbury's Steve Hansen revealed he was leaving before he started his first year in charge.

After failing to agree to terms with the New Zealand Rugby Union, Hansen decided he was moving to assist Graham Henry with Wales.

Opinions were voiced that Hansen would not bring the right passion to the job or should have been removed.

Neither consequence occurred and apart from one stumble on a wet and windy night at Albany against North Harbour, Canterbury have been undefeated.

In the Otago camp, coach Laurie Mains has returned from several seasons coaching in South Africa to coax his side to the final.

For some time they struggled with their All Blacks away and a high number of injuries.

Otago have lost three times this season. They went down away to Waikato and the demoted Counties Manukau, and were clobbered at Carisbrook by Canterbury, 62-19.

For Mains, this final is likely to be his provincial coaching swansong before he hands over the job to his assistants, Greg Cooper and Wayne Graham, next year.

Mains coached Otago to the 1991 first-division title in his ninth straight year with the province and then announced he would stand (he was successful) for All Black coach.