ITM Cup: Canterbury squeak out win over Counties

Sione Fifita of Counties Manukau looks to pass in the tackle of Matt Todd of Canterbury. Photo / Getty

Canterbury 20
Counties Manukau 15

What an absorbing contrast as Canterbury with a layer of All Blacks used their full range of attacking ideas, pitted against a Counties side who refused to budge on defence.

The Canterbury faithful who turned up to celebrate club day in Christchurch must have felt their province was going to get down to business on the sunny afternoon when Jack Goodhew belted towards the tryline early.

His offload to Johnny McNicholl was a little low and the chance was shelled.

Remarkably, it was the closest the hosts got to the line in the opening spell as Counties refused to bend or break under huge pressure. They also claimed the only try when fullback Jared Page picked off a loose pass and careered 80m downfield.

Canterbury's twin pieces of profit came from Tom Taylor penalties and while coach Scott Robertson was bullish about the eventual outcome, there must have been some concern about their lack of attacking precision.

The pressure came. Counties prop Pauliasi Manu went to the bin for a late high swinging arm and Taylor goaled then Luke Whitelock barged across to reward a tight-head scrum win.

It was an opportune boost as Counties roared back into life when they brought on subs like Maama Vaipulu and Manu was restored from the naughty chair to the front-row. It was their turn to ramp up the heat.

Centre Sam Vaka intercepted a floating pass from replacement Rob Thompson and streaked 50m for the converted try and Canterbury's lead was cut to two with 15 minutes left. They ground downfield with more of their possession for Taylor to convert another penalty.

How they needed it. Counties muscled towards the shadow of the posts with crunching waves of attack until they were penalized. It proved to be their last chance but they were impressive.

Canterbury will be mighty relieved. They were organized and dominant and it took all their combined clout to crack this victory.

Canterbury 20 (L Whitelock try; T Taylor 5 pen)
Counties 15 (J Page, S Vaka, tries; P Francis pen, con.)
Halftime: 6-5