Canterbury 46
Waikato 13
Manawatu 25
Southland 23
Dan Carter passed what should be his final All Black trial with flying colours last night.
To steal the tags used for the old rugby trial system, he has surely moved from a possible or probable to being a certainty for the test in Sydney next week.
Carter stamped his mark, and announced himself test ready, in the first 25 minutes to orchestrate Canterbury's dismantling of woeful Waikato in the NPC clash in Christchurch.
The one minor blemish was his goalkicking, a couple of skewed conversions from wide out. But he also landed long and difficult kicks in a 19-point haul, before being replaced for the final 10 minutes.
This was Carter's third provincial match back, following a club appearance, after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in France six months ago and undergoing an operation.
There was naturally a chorus of "don't rush him back into the tests", including initially from the All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen. But Carter's class shone through from the moment he returned to the NPC against North Harbour.
The opening 25 minutes alone last night would have brought a wide smile to All Black coach Graham Henry's face, as he looks to right a listing ship in which Stephen Donald - Carter's deputy - has looked like an enthusiastic deck hand rather than the elegant Admiral required.
It goes without saying that Carter may be ring rusty when he returns to the test side. He won't get the time and space that Waikato afforded him. But he has done all he can at this level, and now is the time for the great leap forward into the highest echelon.
He started the match by landing a 50-plus metre penalty, then created a ruck penalty which he converted.
Then came some old Carter magic, as he bobbed across the defensive line and plonked fullback Colin Slade into a hole, with Tim Bateman finishing the move off.
In and around this, he produced a clever pick-up and grubber kick under pressure, turned defence into hot attack with a smart charge down and kick through, and had Canterbury operating in its classic formation.
As one wag suggested, it's no longer a question of whether he will be restored to the All Black starters next week, but will he eventually accept the knighthood.
Enough of the adulation, because next week might turn out to be a giant reality kick. Carter has always been an immaculate defender but this area has not been tested yet the way it would be in Sydney. He might not even be an 80 minute test player yet, but looks well on the way. It is certainly a delight to see the great Number 10 back in action.
The story wasn't so encouraging for another All Black, Brendon Leonard, the Waikato halfback who just can't find his form, no matter how hard he tries. He was pulled off by coach Chris Gibbes after 53 minutes, replaced by the unheralded David Bason, a move which was greeted by Wyatt Crocket scoring Canterbury's bonus point try.
Apart from a little third quarter burst, Waikato were continually outclassed by Canterbury.
Canterbury 46 (Tyson Keats, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Wyatt Crockett, Adam Whitelock tries; Daniel Carter 2 con, 5 pen, Colin Slade con)
Waikato 13 (Romana Graham try, Callum Bruce con, 2 pen). HT: 29-6.
* * *
Manawatu and Southland battled out an entertaining match in Invercargill.
Manawatu went into the break 8-3 up but neither side failed to press home the advantage in the first half.
Southland quickly levelled the scores soon after halftime but a try to Manawatu first five-eighths Aaron Cruden, which he converted, and winger Andrew Taylor's second try gave them a decisive 22-8 lead.
Southland stormed back to get within two points at 22-20 but a Kendrick Lynn try gave Manawatu enough breathing space despite a late surge from Southland.
Manawatu 25 (Andre Taylor 2, Aaron Cruden tries; Cruden pen, 2 con, Isaac Thompson pen)
Southland 23 (John Hardie, Jamie Mackintosh, Kenny Lynn tries; Robbie Robinson 2 pen, con). HT: 8-3.
