Rugby: Canterbury through to ITM Cup final

Robbie Fruean of Canterbury beats the tackle of Alapati Leiua of Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury have kept alive hopes of a third successive national provincial championship rugby title next weekend after they outgunned Wellington 57-41 in an incredible semifinal shootout at Christchurch tonight.

An astonishing first half yielded 60 points - 34 to Canterbury and 26 to Wellington - as both teams showcased their obvious attacking talents, though some of the defending was found wanting and uncharacteristic at the business end of the competition.

Canterbury, victors over Wellington in the past two NPC finals and a constant menace to the men from the capital in playoff situations, will face the winner of tomorrow's Auckland-Waikato semifinal in the final at Christchurch next weekend.

They are seeking to become the first team to win three consecutive titles since the Auckland team of the mid-1990s, who won four titles from 1993-96.

Canterbury seemed to have Wellington's measure for most of the match but they had to withstand a spirited finish from the visitors.

Tries to Victor Vito and young halfback TJ Perenara narrowed the gap to 43-41 with 10 minutes remaining, but Canterbury used their big-match experience to finally close out a thrilling match, lock Isaac Ross and left wing Telusa Veainu scoring late tries to seal an ultimately comfortable winning margin.

"It's fantastic, the boys have come through shaky stuff early on in the season and apart from last week (a 6-26 loss to Waikato) we're building nicely, so we're really looking forward to next week," said Canterbury captain Wyatt Crockett, who heaped praise on his outside backs.

Centre Robbie Fruean (one try), fullback Sean Maitland (one) and left wing Veainu (two) scored four of Canterbury's six tries, and between them the trio have now scored 26 tries this season.

"They're just awesome to have in your side, when the ball gets wide they're tryscorers and they make something out of nothing," he told Sky Sport.

At times Canterbury's backs - led by the outstanding Fruean - were devastating. They scored when they needed to, won crucial turnovers when Wellington were gaining momentum and impressed with their general kicking game.

First five-eighth Colin Slade was flawless with the boot, nailing all 11 attempts at goal - five penalties and six conversions - and many from wide out.

But their defence was flimsy and Wellington's powerful and talented backline found plenty of holes, which will be of concern to Canterbury coach Rob Penney next week.

It was tit-for-tat in a free-flowing opening 20 minutes, which saw both teams cross for two tries.

Wellington wing Julian Savea was the first to dot down when the speedster intercepted a floating Ryan Crotty pass in midfield and scooted 30m to score.

Canterbury hit back almost immediately through their hooker Steve Fualau, who barged over from close range after Fruean's initial bust set up the chance.

Wellington reclaimed the lead on the back of two lineout wins against the throw, fullback Apoua Stewart taking advantage of some uncharacteristically shaky Canterbury defending - Slade was largely to blame as Stewart brushed him aside with ease - to score a simple try.

Again, however, the visitors were unable to maintain their advantage as Canterbury's hard-running backs found too much space out wide.

Maitland capitalised on one of seven breakdown turnovers Canterbury were able to effect in the first half, the stylish fullback scything through the line and sprinting 80m to put the home team back in front, 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Fruean collected a lovely pop-pass from Slade before proving too big and too fast for the covering Wellington defence to score Canterbury's third try and the defending champions had a fourth just before halftime when Fruean's bust set up a two-on-one situation and a straightforward try to Veainu.

Canterbury 57 (Telusa Veainu 2, Steve Fualau, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Isaac Ross tries; Colin Slade 5 pen, 6 con) Wellington 41 (Julian Savea, Apoua Stewart, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara tries; Lima Sopoaga 5 pen, 3 con). Halftime: 34-26.

- NZPA