Canterbury has won the Air New Zealand Cup for 2008, prevailing 7-6 over the Wellington Lions in front of 21,237 fans desperate to see their side finally become the champions after coming so close in previous years.
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Sportal.co.nz
Canterbury has won the Air New Zealand Cup for 2008, prevailing 7-6 over the Wellington Lions in front of 21,237 fans desperate to see their side finally become the champions after coming so close in previous years.Unfortunately for Wellington once again, it stumbled at the final hurdle as it has done so often, with Canterbury's efficiency winning the day as they suffocated Wellington's attack and ground out a hard fought victory, scoring the only try of the match in a low scoring affair.
The two sides ground out a tense opening ten minutes, with both teams sounding each other out with spells of good territory which they were unable to turn into points. It was the home side that managed to get ahead on the scoreboard however, following a sustained period of attack inside the visitors territory. Piri Weepu was able to knock over a penalty to take the score to 3-0 after 16 minutes.
However, it was the visiting side that crossed the line first. Canterbury loose forward Hayden Hopgood managed to crash over just to the right of the uprights after some good forward play on 25 minutes. Colin Slade added the extras to take the score to 7-3.
As the rain began to fall, both sides struggled with ball retention as the handling errors did their best to interrupt any prolonged passages of play. Slade had the opportunity to extend the lead with a penalty attempt on 32 minutes, but he was unsuccessful and the score held through until half time.
It was Wellington who came out of the blocks strongly in the second period, and it immediately seized the initiative.A smart breakout from inside its own half saw it force Canterbury into conceding a penalty on 48 minutes, 30 metres out from its line. Weepu managed to slot the attempt from a tight angle to put the home side within a point and leave the score at 7-6.
The Lions continued their momentum and on 53 minutes, the infallible Richie McCaw dropped a very straightforward Weepu kick, 12 metres out from his own line. Despite the opportunity though, Wellington was unable to capitalise on the opportunity.However, the Lions' persistence finally paid off as it was given the opportunity to take the lead in the 60th minute.
Unfortunately for the home side though, Weepu's trusty boot was off target keeping the scores at 7-6.Wellington dominated territory over the next twenty minutes, and had several opportunities to take the lead. However, a combination of resolute defence and simple mistakes saw it become frustrated as Canterbury coolly soaked up the pressure and suffocated the game.
Canterbury's ruthless efficiency and ability to keep its defensive shape allowed it to contain Wellington's flair and allowed it to grind out a famous and deserved victory at the expense of a Wellington side that had promised so much throughout the entirety pf the competition.
However, it was the visiting side that crossed the line first. Canterbury loose forward Hayden Hopgood managed to crash over just to the right of the uprights after some good forward play on 25 minutes. Colin Slade added the extras to take the score to 7-3.
As the rain began to fall, both sides struggled with ball retention as the handling errors did their best to interrupt any prolonged passages of play. Slade had the opportunity to extend the lead with a penalty attempt on 32 minutes, but he was unsuccessful and the score held through until half time.
It was Wellington who came out of the blocks strongly in the second period, and it immediately seized the initiative.A smart breakout from inside its own half saw it force Canterbury into conceding a penalty on 48 minutes, 30 metres out from its line. Weepu managed to slot the attempt from a tight angle to put the home side within a point and leave the score at 7-6.
The Lions continued their momentum and on 53 minutes, the infallible Richie McCaw dropped a very straightforward Weepu kick, 12 metres out from his own line. Despite the opportunity though, Wellington was unable to capitalise on the opportunity.However, the Lions' persistence finally paid off as it was given the opportunity to take the lead in the 60th minute.
Unfortunately for the home side though, Weepu's trusty boot was off target keeping the scores at 7-6.Wellington dominated territory over the next twenty minutes, and had several opportunities to take the lead. However, a combination of resolute defence and simple mistakes saw it become frustrated as Canterbury coolly soaked up the pressure and suffocated the game.
Canterbury's ruthless efficiency and ability to keep its defensive shape allowed it to contain Wellington's flair and allowed it to grind out a famous and deserved victory at the expense of a Wellington side that had promised so much throughout the entirety pf the competition.
Wellington 6 --Pen:Weepu 2
Canterbury 7 --Try: Hopgood ; Con: Slade
HT: 3-7.
Canterbury 7 --Try: Hopgood ; Con: Slade
HT: 3-7.
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