SECOND-HALF SURGE LIFTS TRILLO METALS CANTERBURY BULLS TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls took out the National Championship final at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday, overwhelming Wellington Orcas 36-22 after a dominant start to the second half.

With the Centenary Shield and Adrian Shelford Memorial Cup also on the line between the provinces, Canterbury scored four unanswered tries after the break to turn a 10-all halftime scoreline into a commanding 18-point lead.

A dazzling display in the halves from captain Danny Samuelu-Latu and at hooker from Antonio Lemalu, livewire Elisara Vaifale’s punch from fullback and the impact of a big, four-forward bench – complementing the platform laid by engine-room starters George Faaiva and co – saw the Trillo Metals Bulls keep the scoreboard ticking over.

The Orcas made the most of their opportunities via some inventive attack, but possession deserted them early in the second stanza.

The home side opened the scoring in the 14th minute with Samuelu-Latu spying a short-side chance on the last tackle, allowing centre Maoluma Sakaria to cross out wide.

The 112-year rivals traded tries in quick succession until halftime: Francis Tauauve’a barged over from dummy-half to open Wellington’s account; Latu’s long ball provided some space for the elusive Vaifale to slip through; and Orcas centre Misi Magele spectacular grabbed a bomb from the grasp of Nick Evans and raced away to level the scores again.

But it was one-way traffic in the Trillo Metals Bulls’ favour after the resumption, while the injury exit of halfback Taniela Leka – with lock Uale Peneli shifting into a playmaking role – failed to disrupt the hosts’ rhythm. Interchange giant Champ Betham caused early havoc on the left edge and offloaded for winger and Hornby Panthers teammate Muipu Nati to step inside and scoot over.

In the ensuing set, Chanel Feala busted the Orcas open through the middle and found dynamic hooker Antonio Lemalu backing up to race away and score under the posts.

Canterbury made it three tries in three sets as Peneli, Cooper Te Hau and Sakaria combined beautifully to send Evans away. And when Wellington fullback Joshua Williams was unable to take a swirling Samuelu-Latu bomb at the end of the next set, Nati blazed in for his second from a slick scrum move for a 28-10 advantage.

The possession-starved Orcas struck back via brilliant vision from five-eighth danger-man Rikeli Gray, who looped a long ball over the top for an unmarked Magele to stroll in for his second.

But any notions of a miracle comeback was quashed by a simple error from the kick-off, with Vaifale’s blistering speed proving too much for the Orcas’ defence from the resultant scrum as the fullback completed a double.

Latu powered over from close range on the back of another Lemalu break to finish off the Trillo Metals Bulls’ scoring, but the visitors had the last say thanks to a solo effort from Grey.

2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Trillo Metals Canterbury Bulls 36 (Muipu Nati 2, Elisara Vaifale 2, Maoluma Sakaria, Antonio Lemalu, Nick Evans, Danny Samuelu-Latu tries; Taniela Leka, Uale Peneli goals) defeated Wellington Orcas 22 (Misi Magele 2, Francis Tauauve’a, Rikeli Gray tries; JT Anae 2, Tuaauve’a goals) at Ngā Puna Wai, Sunday, October 6th.