• Canterbury showed their class today with a typically assured display
• The reigning champions pulled away in the second spell to record a 45-12 victory over the Auckland Storm

Canterbury have flexed their muscle in the Farah Palmer Cup today with an assured display against Auckland at Eden Park. The Storm gave themselves a chance early in the second spell to claim a valuable victory, but were unable to match the pace of the reigning champions over the 80-minutes.

The opening exchanges were definitively dominated by Canterbury who seemingly had a mortgage on possession and territory. Both were telling when in the 14^th minute, wing Te Rauoriwa Gapper was able to scythe her way courtesy of a smart backline from a midfield scrum.

The Canterbury score seemingly sparked Auckland into life with the home side enjoying a consistent spell of territory and possession themselves for the first time. The toll eventually told on the visitor’s defence with Daynah Nankivell sliding over from close-range after a neat pass from halfback Kiritapu Demant.

The red and blacks however, showed why the they are the two-time defending champions by responding with a near length of the field effort. The final move seeing Black Fern Phillipa Love too strong from only a few metres out to touchdown.

Canterbury were in again right before the break. Quality ball movement from yet another set-piece scrum move saw the visitor’s backline slice through from 50 metres out and allow wing Te Rauoriwa Gapper to claim a first-half double.

The second-half was a much different start to the first for Auckland. Possession and territory was significantly easier to come by and the result was a try out-wide to young flyer Princess Elliot who, despite a slight bobble, was able to streak away and dive over.

The red and blacks were in again almost immediately though. Once again showing their big game temperament. Fullback Olivia McGoverne eventually the beneficiary of a sustained build-up that pulled and stretched the Auckland defence through multiple phases. The blue and white line was unable to hold in the end with the Cantabs extending their lead to 26-12.

Further tries to wing Becky Davidson from a quick tap, and second-five Lucy Anderson from a well-constructed lineout move that exploited Auckland’s inside channels on defence saw the visitor’s lead stretch to 26 with a little over ten minutes to play.

The final play of the game saw Canterbury have the last say with reserve hooker Nina Poletti barging her way over off the back of several phases close to the Auckland line.

The home side will now look to re-group before facing Bay of Plenty away next week in Whakatane.

Auckland 12 (D Nankivell, P Elliot tries; R Demant conversion)

Canterbury 45 (T R Gapper 2, P Love, O McGoverne, B Davidson, L Anderson, N Poletti tries; C Siataga 5 conversions)

Halftime: 7 - 19