Rugby: Waikato end drought in Christchurch

Richard Kahui runs in to score a try for Waikato. Photo / Getty Images

Waikato stormed to a 27-13 national provincial championship rugby victory over Cantebury on the back of a four-try first-half blitz in Christchurch today.

The defeat meant defending champions Canterbury missed a golden opportunity to overtake Bay of Plentym, who suffered a second straight defeat at the hands of Taranaki last night, at the top of the table.

Today's win took Waikato to 19 points, level with Taranaki and behind Bay of Plenty who lead with 22.

It was the first time that Waikato have beaten Canterbury in Christchurch in 12 seasons and the first time they have met since last year's final.

It was far from a vintage disciplined performance from Canterbury and they were unable to get their main strike weapons, centre Robbie Fruean and fullback Sean Maitland, into the game often enough.

Waikato needed just 70 seconds from the kickoff to score through loosehead prop Toby Smith.

Canterbury failed to control the kickoff and Waikato took possession driving Canterbury deep into their 22 over a number of well-controlled phases which ended with Smith crashing over.

That started 24 minutes of misery for Canterbury as Waikato, with first five-eighth Stephen Donald kicking immaculately, halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow sniping from behind the rucks, and backs Tim Mikkelson and Richard Kahui running well, took control.

Kerr-Barlow set up the second try after bursting through a gap, the forwards continued the momentum and it ended with lock Toby Lynn going over.

The third was again crafted by the halfback with a nice pass to Mikkelson to run onto in the 13th minute and with Donald's conversion, it was 19-0.

Canterbury struck back quickly with a scrappily conceived converted try to No 8 Nasi Manu but Waikato got their bonus point with the best try of the match.

Fullback Trent Renata launced a counter attack and it was carried on by wing Henry Speight who sent Kahui in to score with a sweetly-timed pass.

The second half was a dour affair with Canterbury doing very little to reduce their errors while Waikato were content to sit on their lead after Donald struck another penalty.

Play by play recap:

- NZPA