Canterbury beat Waikato to retain Shield

Sione Lauaki in action for Waikato during the Ranfurly Shield match against Canterbury at Jade Stadium tonight. John McCombe/Getty Images

Canterbury withstood a strong Ranfurly Shield challenge from Waikato to win their NPC first division rugby match 23-15 in Christchurch tonight.

Until Canterbury replacement wing Vilimoni Delasau scored in the 79th minute, the result was in the balance after both sides traded blows all evening at Jade Stadium.

Waikato led 15-13 with six minutes remaining before Canterbury fullback Ben Blair, who produced another stellar kicking display, wrestled the lead back.

Tonight's victory sets up an mouth-watering shield challenge against Wellington next Friday who dismantled Southland 53-12 earlier in the capital.

In Christchurch Waikato were denied three tries by the video referee, while Canterbury showed their class to soak up Waikato offence before launching their own attack.

After a frantic opening burst, Waikato strung together nine phases after hammering Canterbury's defence.

But a turnover saw Canterbury produce a trade-mark counter-attack.

Under their posts second five-eighth Caleb Ralph flung the ball wide.

With Waikato a man short after injured wing Richard Kahui was being treated on the field, centre Casey Laulala broke clear and after a string of passes Ralph completed the 100m movement to score under the opposite posts

Blair converted but Waikato halfback Byron Kelleher, in his first shield challenge after 160 first class matches, replied shortly afterwards.

No.8 Steven Bates produced a mid-field grubber kick which Kelleher latched onto, bumped off a couple of defenders to score in the corner.

Blair slotted a penalty shortly afterwards, but Waikato centre Keith Lowen gave them lead in the 25th minute when he finished a slick set piece movement.

Hill converted and Waikato took a 12-10 halftime lead.

In a tight second half Canterbury regained the lead through a Blair penalty, but a superb covering tackle from Lauaki on a rampaging Mose Tuiaili'i saw the former All Blacks No.8 spill the ball over the tryline.

Waikato pivot Stephen Donald was held up over the line before Hill's penalty saw Waikato regain the lead only for Blair to slot a sideline penalty and Delasau's try.

Canterbury 23 (Caleb Ralph, Vilimoni Delasau tries; Ben Blair 3 pen, 2 con)

Waikato 15 (Byron Kelleher, Keith Lowen tries; David Hill pen, con).

Halftime: 10-12.

- NZPA