Canterbury overcame a rugged start against Hawkes Bay in Napier last night to earn a bonus point with a 44-3 victory and put themselves in an excellent position to secure a home semifinal.
The red and blacks scored six tries and join Wellington at the top of the table with one match to play - Bay of Plenty in Christchurch on Sunday.
The Bay's season is heading in the other direction, but they still have plenty to play for. Rooted to the bottom of the table, they are facing relegation to the Championship but could earn themselves glory on Saturday if they take the Ranfurly Shield off Waikato in Hamilton. Canterbury struggled to find their rhythm in the face of the home side's aggression and conceded a penalty to Andrew Horrell but clawed their way back through two Tom Taylor penalties and then cut simply cut loose.
With the pack beginning to dominate and inside backs Tyler Bleyendaal and Tom Taylor showing their class, Canterbury scored six tries.
Canterbury 44 (George Whitelock, Codie Taylor, Johnny McNicholl, Nasi Manu, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd tries; Tom Taylor 4 cons, 2 pens). Hawkes Bay 3 (Andrew Horrell pen). HT: 25-3. APNZ