Canterbury crush defending NPC champions Wellington in season-opener
Canterbury fullback Johnny McNicholl opened the scoring in the sixth minute, when he crossed the tryline with ease.
After a period of sustained pressure from Wellington and missed opportunities for both sides, Wellington winger Losi Filipo used his power and a strong fend to finally crack the Canterbury defence and score his first try of the season to level the scores at 7-all after 27 minutes.
There was no change to the score during the remainder of a tight and physically tough first half.
Wellington captain Brad Shields failed a head injury assessment early in the first half, handing the captaincy to Julian Savea.
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The hosts took the lead with a penalty goal in the 54th minute, but a minute later, Canterbury had scored their second try of the game, via loose forward Corey Kellow, who pounced on a loose ball. McNicholl had his second try five minutes later to extend the lead to 19-10.
New Canterbury captain Cullen Grace joined the tryscoring action, when the No.8 ran down a ball to bring up his side's fourth try.
Replacement Wellington halfback Nui Muriwai gave his side a sniff of a comeback chance when he scored, but Canterbury were not done when Nick Hyde scored in the final minute of the game.
Newly capped All Black Brodie McAlister had a slight injury scare, after copping a hit in the ribs in the first half, and the Canterbury hooker was replaced early in the second half. Wellington fullback Ruben Love, who was the other All Black released for this game, came through injury-free, with his sights set on inclusion in the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad to be named on Monday.
Wellington is away to Waikato next weekend, while Canterbury host Auckland in Christchurch.
rnz.co.nz
Otago triumph in hardfought Stag Day clash against Southland
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Otago have taken 'Stag Day' honours in Invercargill, beating old rivals Southland 24-15 in a well-attended match at Rugby Park.
The win was built on a dominant first half, then some committed defence in the second.
In fact, Otago scored all their points by halftime and seemingly set Southland the task of overhauling their 24-8 lead.
Jack Taylor opened the scoring for the home side, with a popular try in front of a very good crowd of 10,000, but Otago soon got stuck into the work, thanks to some very smart kicking by Highlanders duo Cam Millar and Sam Gilbert.
Gilbert struck back for Otago in the 16th minute with a well-taken try, then Millar extended the lead with a penalty after 25 minutes. All Black Christian Lio-Willie powered over to push the lead out to 17-8, before Will Stoddart scored a crucial try right on halftime.
Despite the big crowd willing them on, Southland couldn't make their attacking opportunities count in a second half, when they dominated territory and possession. All they had to show was a Nic Shearer try, converted by Byron Smith.
The match ended with Southland hot on attack but denied once again by some well-organised Otago defence. That was fitting, as it summed up the way the entire second half had gone.
Southland will look to regroup against Northland in Whangarei next Friday, while Otago host Hawke's Bay.
rnz.co.nz
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