Canterbury blast Tasman with record score in quarter-final
Canterbury have booked a ticket to the Bunnings NPC semi-finals after thrashing Tasman by a record score 62-14 in Blenheim.
The shock result saw the 8-2 third seed Mako bow out to "big brother" Canterbury, the other Crusaders feeder province, in humiliating fashion.
While Canterbury has reversed their season fortunes around after suffering a historic 65-19 loss to North Harbour, the largest in their history, just a fortnight ago.
Boosted by the return of All Blacks Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry and George Bell proved too much, as Tasman unfortunately lost Ethan Blackadder before kick-off who was ruled out with injury.
Upstart flanker Corey Kellow opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Canterbury did not look back, putting on five tries to one in the first half to lead 33-7 at the break.
Along with Kellow, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, Ngane Punivai all crossed to bury Tasman in a 24-0 hole.
Crusaders centre Levi Aumua managed to strike back for Tasman to offer a slim hope, but another try right before the half to Tom Christie quickly extinguished that hope.
After being undefeated sevens rounds into the competition and capturing the Ranfurly Shield off Hawke's Bay, they looked like title favourites.
Losing the Ranfurly in the last round of the competition to Taranaki proved to be a fatal hangover, with the 48-point defeat and quarter-final exit a bitter pill to swallow.
Canterbury will now face the fourth seed Bay of Plenty away, while in the other semi-final Wellington will host Waikato after the squeaked past Taranaki 15-14 in New Plymouth.
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Ainsley has been playing for Lyon and scrummaging well. It’s the best league in the world and strong scrum emphasis so easy selection if he is available.
The need for a jackler hasn’t sailed and none of the other options at 2 are as good. He played poorly for La Rochelle last night but has been playing well so disagree on that. Mc Reight hasn’t got that element in his game at international level and a support player like him isn’t needed if you have more go forward in the forwards and inside backs as you can use wingers for that.
Hodge is an easy pick. Solid D and good kicking is needed in any side particularly one without a settled 9 and 10. He should be one of the first picked with Kerevi to take the pressure off 10. Paisami and Wright consistently make dumb decisions that put the team under pressure and wrights flash of brilliance every 5th game isn’t worth the errors and he’s not great under the high ball. I’d use hodge there with the young guy from QLD to bring him on. He can then switch into centre or 10 if there are injuries.
IP. The defence in the backline has been terrible and Paisami has terrible judgment. They need to fix that and the options are limited. Paisami shouldn’t be in the squad. I’d have him in the squad with Kerevi favouring Kerevi to start if available.
Go to commentsWow! Kiwis on here already turning on one of their all time greats for his opinion!!!
But he is bang on with his analysis and that’s why SR has dragged the All Blacks back into the pack. And don’t expect it to change any time soon…
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