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Steamers run out of puff against relentless Canterbury |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Monday, 18 October 2004 |
IN the end, rugby bared its professional teeth as fairytale ideals of passion and the power of the underdog were cruelly swept off Christchurch's Jade Stadium.
Bay of Plenty lost their historic first NPC semifinal 44-12 to a Canterbury side brimming with skill and talent, wilting in the wash of a relentless and utterly professional red and black tide.
The Steamers made too many mistakes and turned over too much possession to realistically compete with a Canterbury side boasting 15 current or former All Blacks.
There was the usual amount of bravado and guts from the Bay players, especially two-try wing Anthony Tahana, but the opposition lifted their standards to another level from what they have displayed so far this season.
The Steamers had their scoring chances - notably when Canterbury fullback Daniel Carter batted a ball infield for Charles Baxter to toe through and score in the 26th minute, only to discover Carter had stepped into touch.
Eight minutes later touch judge Lyndon Bray called a forward pass to second-five Grant McQuoid who cut through and looked destined for the tryline. Referee Steve Walsh admitted later it was a marginal call.
By that stage, however, Bay of Plenty trailed 23-0, with Canterbury scoring through Aaron Mauger and Sam Broomhall after Bay of Plenty gifted them possession and Carter knocking over two conversions and three penalties.
Walsh repeatedly penalised a clearly puzzled Steamers prop Ben Castle for boring in at scrum when it appeared Canterbury's Dave Hewitt was getting away scot-free.
Tahana, a revelation this season as an outstanding finisher and rugged defender, finished a brilliantly conceived move in the opening minute of the second spell running off a 5m scrum with Glen Jackson and McQuid providing ideal decoys but 10 minutes later Baxter let a Bay counter-attack slip away by not backing his pace, Canterbury parried and carved through for Chris Jack to lope across.
The home side added further tries to Casey Laulala and Campbell Johnstone before Tahana scored his second, again from a sweet Steamers move where Allan Bunting provided the thrust and Jackson the double-around.
Hooker Ngarimu Simpkins was a major offender with four knock-
ons, including one within 2m of the Canterbury line and two which directly led to Canterbury tries.
Usual Bay of Plenty fullback Adrian Cashmore was ruled out with a back injury early on Saturday morning and replaced by Apoua Stewart.
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