Rugby: Canty confidence remains rock solid

Isaac Ross. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury coach Rob Penney says the defending champions will start the national provincial championship rugby semifinal against Wellington in Christchurch tomorrow night with confidence despite losing to Waikato in their last round robin outing.

The 6-26 loss to Waikato at Hamilton last weekend was Canterbury's third defeat in the regular season, all three away from home.

The last-round hiccup, however, did not prevent Canterbury from finishing top of the table and ensuring this season's campaign ends in either success or failure at home.

Canterbury are seeking to become the first province to score three successive wins in the competition since the all-conquering Auckland strung together four consecutive titles starting in 1993.

But Penney said the preparation for the playoffs did not include talk of a Canterbury three-peat or of matching the Auckland dynasty.

"That (Auckland) team of the `90s went through together as the same team. We've got six guys in this group who were in last year's final and we've had a massive amount of change in the starting line-up. We're just endeavouring to win the semifinal this Friday night and whatever happens after that happens."

He is adamant the setback against Waikato has not eroded his team's inner belief.

"We were still really buoyant afterwards (Waikato loss). To be fair they had everything to play for and we didn't have a lot, and although it's never pleasing having a performance like that at this time of the year it was understandable. The emotional energy wasn't quite there and they had truckloads of it and they beat us up a bit," Penney said.

"We had to get back on the horse early and get our self-belief up and make sure we're in good shape heading into this week. We've had a light training week - hopefully we've done all we can and now it's up to the players to do what's needed and I think we head into Friday with a lot of confidence."

Canterbury make no secret of the fact that in the absence of All Blacks Alby Mathewson and Piri Weepu (injured), they will pressurise the rookie Wellington halves combination of teenaged halfback TJ Perenara and Lima Sopoaga.

Despite a raft of injuries and unavailable All Blacks, Wellington found a late vein of form to fill the last qualifying place with eight wins and five losses in the preliminary rounds.

But they have found Canterbury a bogey team in the knockout stage in recent years with Canterbury winning the last four clashes, including the 2008 and 2009 finals and last year's Ranfurly Shield match in Wellington.

As well, Canterbury won their round-robin match, 37-30, although both teams scored four tries.

Wellington have a woeful finals record, having made the last two in five of the last six years and losing every final - to Canterbury three times, and also to Waikato and Auckland.

Canterbury have lost eight players to the All Blacks end-of season tour and Wellington five, all from the backline, and Canterbury also have two former All Blacks, captain and flanker, George Whitelock and hooker Corey Flynn, sidelined through injury.

"Those people are gone and the petrol tank starts getting a little bit empty," Penney said.

"It's a bit of the last-man standing stuff, but we've got a really good group who are capable of playing really well when they put their minds to it."

- NZPA