Canterbury: rugby champion of New Zealand

Press, 22 September 1977, Page 22

Canterbury: rugby champion of New Zealand

The Radio New Zealand championship is only two years old, but is truly a national championship: both islands have now produced a champion, and there is every evidence of increasing public interest. Certainly, there was criticism last year that the disjointed programme — some unions had virtually finished their programmes before others had started — detracted from public awareness and understanding. But the programme was sufficiently well-planned that all the major placings were de-

cided the same day. When, on September 18, Bay of Plenty was beating Hawke’s Bay, 10-7, to win the Rugby Cup, Manawatu was succumbing, 12-13, to Marlborough and thus having to settle for second (and the com-

pensation of the Ranfurly Shield!) At the same time, Auckland, which lost all chance with successive mid-season losses to Manawatu, Bay of Plenty and Otago, made third place its own by beating Canterbury, 19-9. That left Canterbury sharing fourth place with Counties. Bay of Plenty demonstrated last season that a shaky start is no barrier to eventual success. It lost its first game, to Counties, and only drew the third, with Wellington, but then had seven straight victories.

Although Canterbury was unbeaten from the time it beat Marlborough in May, until yesterday’s victory against Taranaki, the 1977 competition has not lacked interest. Until a week ago, four unions possessed theoretical

chances of winning the imposing trophy. Auckland, until its surprise loss to Bay of Plenty, had had only two losses; Counties has still lost only twice after yesterday’s match with Otago; Taranaki had lost but once until Manawatu retained the Ranfurly Shield in their match on Saturday. With the right sort of results, all four could have finished equal.

But that was all an historical mathematical exercise yesterday when Canterbury repulsed Taranki, and faces Auckland on Saturday safe in the knowledge that even a loss will not deprive it of the championship. For Auckland, Counties and Taranaki, there is now a little scramble for the runner-up position.