It was an NPC grand final from a bygone age – played in front of a raucous crowd in full sunshine on a Saturday afternoon – and it was won in familiar fashion by Canterbury 36-28 over Otago.
Canterbury did it with a second-half surge after trailing at halftime, but that does not tell the full story.
Such was the strong westerly wind behind Otago in the first half of the match at Canterbury’s unloved stadium in the Christchurch suburb of Addington, their 14-10 lead at the break was never likely to be enough.
And while the visitors, supported superbly by their fans who had travelled up State Highway 1 in huge numbers, did not create enough chances in the first half to lay the foundation for the victory, enormous credit must go to Canterbury for their defence.
It was a key plank to their success. That, and their set piece and deadly lineout drive, have been hallmarks of their season and they are the ingredients required to win grand finals.
This was Canterbury’s 15th championship and their first since 2017. It was also revenge of sorts after Otago relieved them of the Ranfurly Shield this season in a match notable for the visitors’ comeback from a big deficit.
It was Canterbury’s only loss of the season and a particularly painful one for they were far too loose against a side inspired by the moment.
There was no coming back today, although in fairness Otago were a threat until they simply ran out of time.
In a match notable for its intensity and attacking creativity of both teams, midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen put Otago ahead early for a converted try, only for the outstanding Dallas McLeod to reply for Canterbury.
Lucas Casey and Brodie McAlister then swapped tries, with Cam Miller’s two conversions the difference for Otago at the break.
Then came the Canterbury comeback, with Manasa Mataele, Braydon Ennor and Louie Chapman taking advantage of their team’s wealth of possession, territory and ability to get the ball to the touchline to score three unanswered converted tries and take a firm grasp of the match.
Otago, trapped in their territory and facing that strong breeze for the majority of the second half, were facing an almost impossible task against a Canterbury side that appeared to be running not so much downwind but downhill, with McLeod, fellow midfielder Ennor, right wing Mataele and fullback Chay Fihaki all huge threats.
A converted try from Otago’s outstanding replacement prop Benjamin Lopas punctured the air of satisfaction among the home crowd and narrowed the score 31-21 with 18 minutes remaining, only for fellow replacement front rower Gus Brown to reinstate a healthy buffer for the Cantabs.
A converted try for Otago wing Jona Nareki was too little too late.
Otago, in their first NPC final since 2005, and going for their third championship after winning their last one in 1998, will go home empty handed, but with a young squad, including outstanding halfback Dylan Pledger, 20, and the Shield in the cabinet, they have plenty to be happy about.
For Canterbury and departing skipper Tom Christie, who was excellent as usual, this was the perfect ending to their season and it also represented a closing of a significant chapter in the province’s rugby history.
With Christchurch’s new stadium, Te Kaha, opening next April, this was almost certainly the last first-class grand final to be played in front of a draughty and temporary stadium that can be unforgiving in winter – especially to visiting teams and fans – but which holds some special memories for the red and blacks.
Canterbury 36 (Dallas McLeod, Brodie McAlister, Manasa Mataele, Braydon Ennor, Louie Chapman, Gus Brown tries; Chay Fihaki 3 cons)
Otago 28 (Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Lucas Casey, Benjamin Lopas, Jona Nareki tries; Cam Miller 3 cons, Finn Hurley con)
Halftime: Otago 14-10