News

Carter continues comeback course

August 08 2009

Dan Carter scored all 22 of his side's points as Canterbury downed Auckland 22-16 in the Air New Zealand Cup on Saturday.

After a stodgy first hour, marked largely by goal-kicking and multiple errors, the game came alive to deliver a thrilling finale, some reward for a staunch 10,000 or so souls who braved the cold.

At the end of the opening 66 minutes the Cantabs led 12-9, with Carter out-kicking Ash Moeke 4-3. Auckland could have had the lead but Daniel Bowden's wayward radar had ensure the Aucks were kept scoreless for the first half.

Carter also missed a couple, but landed three to make it 9-0 at the break and a further one just after it.

But with Moeke piling on the points, there was a new-found confidence to the Auckland team. John Afoa was on top form with his forward running and another bust by him set up the position for Paul Williams to round off a move and put Auckland ahead for the first time; Moeke's conversion made it 16-12.

But moments later, centre Ryan Crotty slipped a tackle and he found Carter looping in support for the crucial try, which Carter himself converted.

There was a scare for All Black fans hopeful that Carter can kick-start the national team, when Williams felled Carter with a nasty late challenge three minutes from time, but after a brief rest to get his wind back, Carter stood up and landed his fifth penalty to seal the deal for the Cantabs.

The scorers:

For Auckland:

Try: Williams

Con: Moeke

Pens: Moeke 3

For Canterbury:

Try: Carter

Con: Carter

Pens: Carter 5

Auckland: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Dave Thomas, 13 Teddy Stanaway, 12 Benson Stanley (c), 11 Winston Stanley, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Grayson Hart, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Onosa'i Auva'a, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Andrew Van der Heijden, 3 John Afoa, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tevita Mailau.

Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Paea Fa'anunu, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Hamish Paterson, 20 Taniela Moa, 21 Ash Moeke, 22 Atieli Pakalani.

Canterbury: 15 Colin Slade, 14 James Paterson, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Mike Coman, 7 George Whitelock (c), 6 Michael Paterson, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Peter Borlase, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Will Catherwood, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Adam Whitelock.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence