Marshall law in NPC final

11.00am - By DYLAN CLEAVER

There was a school of thought going around that Justin Marshall would be rested for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere tour. If he is to be given a break, Wellington fans will always regret it came one week too late.

The seemingly ageless Canterbury poacher's two tries were the shots that killed off the Lions.

If Marshall is jaded, he has a funny way of showing it.

The fact Canterbury dealt to Wellington with such clinical precision meant this final rarely lived up to its billing.

Sure, the Lions made a bright start, but the red and blacks' relentless pressure meant they spent the second half chasing their tails.

In the end the final told us little we didn't already know: Dan Carter is a freakish talent that could be fitted into a backline anywhere; Ma'a Nonu can be a devastating broken-field runner; and Canterbury have a forward pack that understands the power of collective over individual.

At times, you really could apply the blanket-throwing cliche to numbers one through eight.

The win took Canterbury's NPC tally to five, second behind Auckland's 14 titles, while Wellington remain marooned on four, despite two home finals in succession.

It was a perfectly symmetrical end to the season after these two sides kicked off the NPC at the same venue.

On that occasion Wellington prevailed 34-27.

The symmetry was matched on the field as both teams struggled to gain the upper hand early.

This shouldn't have come as any surprise. This was one of those rare finals when leading up to the match, public opinion was almost perfectly split as to who would prevail. Surely even the most ardent Cantabs expected a rout.

Wellington have been the most enterprising team all year, as evidenced by qualifying top after round-robin play, while Canterbury improved with every outing.

Early on both sides traded mistakes, penalties and goals, but Piri Weepu missed when given a second, simple opportunity.

Weepu was shielded from media duties last week after a scratchy goalkicking display in the semifinal victory over Waikato.

While it is unclear how the veil of silence improves ball-striking ability, Weepu - missed penalty aside - did appear to be enjoying the better of his early exchanges with Marshall. When he wasn't sniping or probing at the edge of the rucks he was firing snappy passes for his five-eighths to work off.

Marshall, though, has the sort of big-game experience Weepu can only dream about.

Another in black and gold to impress early was Nonu. The centre-cum-winger is in a desperate bid to regain his All Black jersey and would have gone a long way towards impressing Graham Henry Ltd last night with his work-rate.

He created the first try of this final with a half bust and Sonny Bill Williams-like offload to his skipper Tana Umaga.

Umaga was pulled down short, but lock Luke Andrews was ranging up on his shoulder to finish in a manner befitting a three-quarter.

They probably should have scored again soon after, but Umaga's pass to Lome Fa'atau was loopy and allowed the cover time to block his run to the corner.

Canterbury's reply was neatly executed, though less spectacular.

Corey Flynn looked as if he was in, but instead cannoned into the upright. After TMO Gary Wise ruled the ball hadn't been grounded correctly (the ball must be forced at the bottom of the upright for a try to be awarded), Canterbury's scrum went into action. From a perfect platform, Sam Broomhall peeled away to put Marshall in for the simplest of tries.

Worryingly for Wellington and the near-capacity home crowd, Canterbury were beginning to look like the dominant team.

This was emphasised when they wrapped up the first-half scoring.

Dave Hewett, Flynn and Chris Jack linked superbly to set up an attacking ruck under the posts. When the ball was swung left, Andrew Mehrtens sent Aaron Mauger strolling over the line.

It was important Wellington started the second half with a bang ... and they did.

Rodney So'oialo lined Richie McCaw up and momentarily stunned him, but the blow Canterbury put on So'oialo's team just a minute later looked more terminal.

Carter proved what a magnificent ball-player he is by jinking and reverse offloading to Scott Hamilton, before he sent Marshall galloping away for his second five-pointer.

A further Carter penalty and the Cantabs were out beyond the two-try buffer.

McCaw scored from a lineout drive and Carter kept banging goals away (it was a gasp rather than a cheer when he hit the post with a shot late in the game).

The NPC trophy was well and truly festooned in red and black by the time Nonu and Bobo scored spectacular, yet hollow, tries.

Canterbury (J Marshall 2, A Mauger, R McCaw tries; D Carter 4 pens, 4 cons)

Wellington (L Andrews, M Nonu, S Bobo tries; P Weepu 2 pens, 2 cons, J Gopperth con)

Half-time: 20-13


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