Rugby: Northland give shield-holders a shake-up

By WYNNE GRAY

Canterbury 28 Northland 22


The Ranfurly Shield remains in Canterbury until next year, but for much of last night's game there was anxiety about their grasp on rugby's most revered trophy.

With the final quarter to run, Canterbury had a flimsy, four-point lead and were feeling some serious heat from a robust Northland pack. The holders were creaking. They had began to argue among themselves and their regular composure was being shaken.

They were in unfamiliar territory against a side they should have put away.

But under pressure, key playmakers Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens took charge. A set move and some dazzling counter-attack brought two rapid tries to Marshall and, in a two-minute sequence, any danger of the shield disappearing had been avoided.

But Northland's superb challenge brought a late second try to Fero Lasagavibau which gave them a bonus point and pushed them into outright fourth, a result which means problems for others trying to break into the NPC playoffs.

This match brought the typical approach from Canterbury coach Robbie Deans.

He warned of the dangers of Northland, told how they would be robust and demanding, but for once his words appeared to have been disregarded by his team.

Maybe Canterbury, like the public, were a bit blase because of Deans' predictable signals of caution. When they tried to change pace, Northland would not allow them.

The shield-holders had almost total possession and territory playing into the wind, but the clinical work which has been the hallmark of their rugby this season was missing. Northland hung on. They did not get into the Canterbury 22 once in the first half, but trailed by just two converted tries, the first by Mark Mayerhofler.

Andrew Mehrtens scored the other when Canterbury finally managed to string a number of phases together and just outflanked the defenders.

But their troubles became greater in the third quarter as the Northland pack showed some effective driving work.

They forced a penalty to start with and then from a turnover and Hayden Taylor chip, Lasagavibau got the best bounce as he outsprinted the defence.

Canterbury began to get fractious until Marshall's twin-try burst eased them away from danger.

Canterbury 28 (A. Mehrtens, M. Mayerhofler, J. Marshall, tries; B. Blair 4 con) Northland 22 (F. Lasagavibau 2, T. Monaghan tries; H. Taylor 2 con, pen). HT: 14-0.