Rugby: Harris seals opening victory for Harbour

Mike Harris celebrates Harbour's victory over Canterbury. Photo / Getty Images.

North Harbour's Michael Harris overshadowed Daniel Carter's much-anticipated return to first class rugby as the unheralded first five-eighth thwarted Canterbury's Air NZ Cup title defence at the first hurdle at Albany.

Harbour beat Canterbury 22-19 after Harris coolly slotted a 78th minute penalty to break a 19-all deadlock at North Harbour Stadium and provide new coaches Craig Dowd and Jeff Wilson with the perfect start to their reign.

Although Harris' fifth penalty appeared to make the game safe, Harbour still had to defend desperately from the kick off as Canterbury battled in vain to guide Stephen Brett into dropped goal range.

A turnover ended those hopes to provide Harbour with a deserved victory after the momentum appeared to be with Canterbury after their own ragged start.

Carter, making his first appearance for Canterbury since 2006, ticked off another stage of his comeback to first class rugby since suffering an Achilles tendon injury while playing for Perpignan on his French sabbatical in January.

But he was sidelined arguably when he was needed most with the scores level, subbed by coach Rob Penney in the 65th minute who watched as replacement Brett pushed a penalty attempt wide two minutes later.

Carter had to be content to probe for territory and rarely took on the line -- one significant break after halftime came unstuck when his floated try-scoring pass to Sean Maitland was ruled forward as the wing dotted down.

However, his kicking kept an indisciplined Canterbury in the contest although the visitors did dominate territory and possession.

Carter missed first four attempts when making his return at club level in Christchurch last weekend but was on range straight away from 48-metres to negate an opening minute penalty from Harris -- one of Harbour pivot's first half quartet as Canterbury regularly fell foul of referee Jonathan White at the breakdown.

Harris also slotted penalties in the 11th, 19th and 24th minutes before Canterbury were able to build concerted pressure deep in Harbour territory for the first time.

A series of forward drives were repelled before Harbour forced a relieving turnover.

However, the momentum was shifting and despite Carter missing his first shot at goal on the half hour Canterbury finished the stronger.

Maitland's hopeful hoist from his 10-metre line turned out perfectly for Canterbury when halfback Tyson Keats regained possession and fed the wing who evaded marker Anthony Tuitavake before outsprinting Harris to dive over in the left hand corner.

Carter added the sideline conversion and added a penalty after the hooter to give Canterbury a 16-12 buffer at the break.

Carter posted another three-pointer in the 53rd minute before Harbour finally strung together a threatening move on the hour.

Harris set the backline free down the short side and when George Pisi cut in off the wing, Canterbury's defence was fractured allowing second five-eighth Andrew Mailei to put Tuitavake over for a redeeming try in the corner.

Harris emulated Carter by nailing the angled conversion, a precursor to his killer blow after Canterbury captain George Whitelock was pinged at a ruck 35m out and dead in front.

North Harbour 22 (Anthony Tuitavake try; Mike Harris 5 pen con) Canterbury 19 (Sean Maitland try; Daniel Carter 3 pen con). Halftime: 12-16.

- NZPA