Canterbury hold off spririted Otago to keep shield

Canterbury's Johnny Leo'o breaks through the Otago defence. Simon Fergusson / Getty Images

Canterbury 22 Otago 17

Canterbury hold off spririted Otago to keep shield

Canterbury avoided the dreaded jinx, beating a spirited Otago 22-17 in Christchurch tonight to defend the Ranfurly Shield for the 13th time of the current era.

However, Otago, who led 7-5 at halftime of the Air New Zealand Cup rugby match, clung on to the top of Pool B by virtue of the bonus point they picked up for finishing within seven points of Canterbury.

Otago now have 23 points, with the bye next week, while Canterbury remain second on 18 points.

It took Canterbury 65 minutes to gain the upper hand over their southern neighbours who were making their 20th shield challenge since they last held it in 1957.

Canterbury set about pounding Otago in the scrums, and the game exploded in 14th minute when All Blacks winger Scott Hamilton was stopped by Otago first five-eighth Nick Evans on the edge of the 22 to prevent what would have been a sure try.

But with halfback Andy Ellis calling the tune behind his dominating scrum, Canterbury took the lead through No 8 Mose Tuiali'i who crashed over after a series of forward surges.

Otago's reply was not long in coming. From a set move after a scrum, Evans slipped an inside pass to left wing Greg Zampach who tore through a wrong-footed Canterbury defence to dot down by the posts.

An early penalty to Ben Blair, playing his final game for Canterbury before moving to Welsh club Cardiff, gave the lead back to the shield holders four minutes into the second half.

But in the try of the game, the game see-sawed Otago's way.

Otago won a short line-out and Evans' skip pass found skipper Josh Blackie loitering with intent in the midfield.

The rangy flanker was unstoppable as he burst through the tackles of Canterbury second five-eighth Cameron McIntyre and Hamilton and for momentum to carry him over the tryline.

Evans converted put Otago 14-8 in front.

But with skipper Corey Flynn showing the way, the Canterbury pack reasserted their dominance which led to two tries.

The first, in the 65th minute went to prop Campbell Johnstone after a series of drives from a lineout and then McIntyre crossed after good work again by the forwards. Blair kicked both conversions.

Otago closed the gap with an Evens penalty but there was little left in Otago's tank to trouble Canterbury.

Canterbury 22 (Mose Tuiali'i , Campbell Johnstone, Cameron McIntyre, tries; Ben Blair pen, 2 con)
Otago 17 (Greg Zampach, Josh Blackie tries; Nick Evans pen, 2 con).
HT: 7-5 Otago.

- NZPA