Just as important were Taylor's kicks. The youngster came off the bench after 20 minutes to replace the injured Tyler Bleyendaal and landed three quick penalties. None was particularly easy and, with the cowbells ringing and the crowd booing, it took some spine for Taylor to stay focused and accurate.
Those kicks were critical. It was one of those nights where the rugby never flowed and even on the two occasions when the ball was actually taken over the line, it never felt like a try was going to be scored.
The fact a try wasn't scored was maybe a blessing for this final because at least that fact gave it a point of difference. It will now have a place in history as the only final so far where a try wasn't scored - and really that's the only footprint it deserves to make.
It wasn't a classic. There was an obvious nervousness besetting both teams. The thinking was clear and tactically both teams were direct, unwilling to muck about in their own territory and alive to counter attacking opportunity.
The problem was execution. Canterbury managed some occasional slick work down the left where some of their delayed passing and clever angles were effective. Other than that, though, the game was frantic and disjointed with little continuity.
There wasn't enough composure on the ball from either side. Half-breaks went unfinished; promising situations broke down with a stray pass or clumsy handling. There was a fair bit of players looking up to plan their next move before they actually had the ball safely in the basket. It meant there was little action in either red zone. The game meandered between the 22s without ever giving the impression it was going to erupt into something memorable.
Where neither side can be faulted is in the energy and enterprise they brought. There was no question both teams turned up mentally and played for the cause, something that was hugely important for Waikato who were distraught at the way they so meekly folded in last year's final.
In 2010, they came, they stood about and watched and most definitely didn't conquer.
They would have loved to have sent their two departing stalwarts - Stephen Donald and Sitiveni Sivivatu - off to Europe with a victory. The former, at least, can be satisfied that he did all he could. Few players have been as unfairly derided as Donald and one 15-minute test cameo in Hong Kong has wildly distorted the facts. Test match rugby was always a stretch for him but at Super Rugby and provincial level he was always a big fish in a smallish pond.
He was one of the more exciting threats on view last night and while he couldn't break the game open, he did manage to attack the line with his usual purpose.
It was his final pass that let him down - twice he was able to charge behind the front lines, get his arms free with the defence scrambling only to have the ball knocked out of his hands.
Canterbury have an iron grip on this trophy and are only going to have their fingers prised off it if teams can sustain something more compelling than Waikato managed.
Waikato 3 (S. Donald pen), Canterbury 12 (T. Taylor 4 pens).
ITM Cup final
Waikato3
Canterbury12
