Canterbury scored its sixth win from its last seven clashes with Auckland with a comprehensive 35-16 victory in their fifth round ITM Cup match at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, on Saturday night.
The home team had a dream start, two tries and 15 points in the first 10 minutes and Auckland never really threatened to get back in the match, Canterbury having scored its bonus-point try before Auckand scored a consolation one in the 74th minute.
With All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis in commanding form in his first start of the campaign and Canterbury defending stoically, the Auks were shut out of a game which was punctuated by too many handling errors, turnovers, and penalties for it to last long in the memory.
Canterbury made a flying start, an early penalty goal by Colin Slade proving the forerunner to a try by lock Luke Romano in the corner after Auckland wing Charles Piutau failed to control a kick ahead. Slade missed the sideline conversion, but the home team was ahead, 8-0.
And in the 10th minute Canterbury had a second try through wing Telusa Veainu, who timed an intercept superbly 60m out and had the speed to cross near the post leaving Slade an easy conversion.
Auckland finally opened its account through a well-struck 43m penalty goal by first five-eighth Matt Berquist after 19 minutes and the backs made good ground as the forwards finally delivered some clean possession.
After a sustained period of attack inside the Canterbury 22m, Auckland received a penalty at the ruck and Berquist was on target from 25m.
But Canterbury stormed back and lay siege on Auckland's line in the final minutes before half-time, winning a 5m scrum but eventually conceding a penalty after several forward bursts to the line.
Canterbury had the final say after the half-time siren sounded, Auckland being penalised for off-side 30m out and near the right upright, Slade kicking the goal for a 18-6 lead at the interval.
Canterbury increased the lead to 21-6 early in the second half through a third Slade penalty after flanker Onosai'i Auva'a was caught off-side in front of his posts, but that was negated when Canterbury prop Wyatt Crockett gave away a penalty 18m out in front of his posts.
Halfback Andy Ellis set-up Canterbury's third try in the 55th minute with a beautiful little grubber behind the fast advancing defence which centre Robbie Fruean pounced upon. Slade converted from close range to extend the lead to 28-9.
On the hour Canterbury defended its line for 12 phases before turning the ball over and clearing the danger zone. Both Auckland and Canterbury remained willing to throw the ball about but poor passing and handling let both sides down.
And it was a turnover that proved Auckland's undoing in the 69th minute, Nasi Manu getting his team on the front foot with a kick ahead and fullback Sean Maitland getting the bonus-point try after gathering his own little kick ahead. Slade converted and Canterbury was out to a 35-9 lead.
With six minutes to go, Auckland broke its try duck, Auva'a taking a quick penalty tap 5m out and diving over in the corner. Ash Moeke landed the sideline conversion which completed the scoring.
Scorers:
Canterbury 35:
Tries: Romano, Veainu, Fruean, Maitland
Cons: Slade (3)
Pens:Slade (3)
Auckland 16:
Try: Auva'a
Con: Moeke
Pens: Berquist (3)