Waikato thumps Canterbury in round eight of ITM Cup - Rugby News
Waikato rocked the Canterbury side by a monstrous difference of 27-13 in the eighth round of ITM Cup 2011, on August 10, in Christchurch. Waikato proved too strong for the Canterbury squad and managed to score 19 unanswered points in the first-half. The
winning side scored four tries very quickly in the match and secured a bonus point in the match before the conclusion of the first. Canterbury players looked tired and off colour in the match and provided their rivals too many easy chances to boost their score.
Canterbury players adopted the defensive approach for this particular match that proved devastating for them. They only managed to score 13 points in the whole game and most of them came at the time when Waikato had almost secured victory.
Richard Kahui, who is hopeful to be included in All Blacks squad for their up coming clash of Tri-Nations against Springboks, displayed a wonderful performance in the match. The centre celebrated his return to rugby with a well executed try in the match
along with remarkable work in the defence lines. He kept the opponents under immense pressure in the game with his offensive style. He remained on the field for 60 minutes and stunned the rivals with a surprising performance.
Waikato started off the game with an early try in the match as Toby Smith crossed the white wash line just after the two minutes after the go. Toby Lynn, Tim Mikkelson and Richard Kahui also elevated their side with one each tries in the match. Stephen Donald
scored nine points for his team on two conversions and one penalty.
Meanwhile, Canterbury managed to score just one try in the match which came from Nasi Manu. Taylor helped his side with two successful kicks on penalties and one on conversion.
The sides played the match with following players: Canterbury: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty/Tom Taylor, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal/Taylor, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George
Whitelock (c), 5 Ash Parker, 4 Luke Romano/Reuben Thorne, 3 Andrew Olorenshaw, 2 Steve Fualau, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Nepo Laulala, 18 Thorne/Dominic Bird, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Mark Swanepoel, 21 Taylor/Robbie Flynn, 22 Johnny McNicholl, 23 Sam Cottam.
Waikato: 15 Trent Renata, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Tim Mikkelson, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Alex Bradley, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Matt Vant Leven, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Nathan White
(c), 2 Marcel Cummings-Toone, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Ted Tauroa, 17 Ben May, 18 Chris Middleton, 19 Zak Hohneck, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Declan O'Donnell, 22 Save Tokula, 23 Latu Talakai.
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