Otago lose Shield in epic

Vilimoni Koroi of Otago tries to break through the Canterbury defence. Photo: Getty Images
Vilimoni Koroi of Otago tries to break through the Canterbury defence. Photo: Getty Images
The Ranfurly Shield will take up new residence in Christchurch.

Canterbury beat a plucky Otago side 35-25 at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

The home side’s report card would read A for enterprise but C for execution.

It was during those moments of inaccuracy that Canterbury pounced.

Otago had the first opportunity to open the scoring but Josh Ioane pulled the ball wide of the near post.

His opposite Brett Cameron made no mistake a few moments later.

The home side was spinning the ball wide at every opportunity and trying to stretch the visitor’s defence.

But winger Dallas McLeod picked off an ambitious pass and dashed up field.

He got the ball off to the competition’s leading try scorer Josh McKay and he beat several defenders to score.

Otago kept playing an exciting brand of rugby. Canterbury’s rush defence got the odd head start. But it was also really effective.

Ioane was pinpoint accurate with some of his cross kicks and landed two penalties before the break to cut the lead to 13-6.

Canterbury nipped down the blind and got the ball back into halfback Mitchell Drummond to score while Otago hooker Steven Misa was getting medical attention.

Canterbury players celebrate winning the Ranfurly Shield. Photo: Getty Images
Canterbury players celebrate winning the Ranfurly Shield. Photo: Getty Images
Maybe the extra body would have made a difference, maybe not. But it was a big blow early in the second spell.

And then another. Vilimoni Koroi chipped the ball ahead and screamed down the touchline to regather and score a 70m effort.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant and it counted not a jot. The ball to him was forward.

Otago did finally get some reward. Ioane poked a grubber through for Sio Tomkinson to run on to and score under the posts.

Canterbury responded immediately, though. Winger Sam Gilbert scored in the corner in what was a well constructed try.

Cameron landed the sideline conversion to give his side a 27-13 lead with a quarter of the match remaining.

Veteran loose forward Adam Thomson turned back the years with a wonderful intercept and a try under the posts.

Hope had returned to the Otago camp but departed quickly when Tim Bateman replied in kind for Canterbury.

Or did it? Jona Nareki weaved his way to the line to prolong the drama.

The missed conversion left Otago needing a converted try to draw the game and hold on to the Shield.

But Cameron sealed the win with a late penalty in frantic final 20 minutes.

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