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NPC
CAN vs WAI
NPC
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Canterbury
vs
Waikato
36
FT
19
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 36 - 19
That is all we have this evening from Christchurch. Thanks for tuning into Tribe's NPC coverage. Until next time, I'm Dan Gread saying good evening.
Waikato will be frustrated with their effort this evening. They played well in patches but were hampered in the first half with injuries to key players. McWhannell had a strong game in the middle while Cook-Savage and Roe were excellent in the second half in the pivot positions. They will finish 7th on the ladder, and will have to wait until after tomorrow's games to see who they face next week.
Canterbury were excellent tonight. They might just have unearthed another young star in Hutchinson who was electric from fullback. Harmon and Gallagher were good in the front, while the wingers, Punivai and Fihaki had strong games. They will finish 6th on the ladder and who they play next week remains to be seen with games still go tomorrow.
So a strong performance at home from Canterbury this evening sees them book a place in next week's quarter finals. After leading at the break, they dotted down quickly after the break with back to back tries to Hutchinson. Waikato came back in the final quarter with tries to Mathis and Anae-Ah Sue before Hutchinson's hat-trick put the game beyond doubt for the home side.
80'
Canterbury go up again and steal the line out. Heinz wants men off the ruck to run down the clock. It is kept close to the ruck on the Canterbury 10 as Waikato struggle to come through. Back for Hutchinson who smashes it into the stands! Canterbury will feature in the quarters!
79'
Waikato go short on the restart and it is knocked on by Canterbury coming forward on the 10 metre line. It rolls in to touch and Waikato will set the scrum just outside the 10 metre line.
78'
Lovely kick, slotting from out on the right edge from Hutchinson.
36-19 I. Hutchinson
Conversion
78'
77'
HAT-TRICK! Brilliant from Canterbury! The kick from Heinz is excellent as Punivai brings it down! Great vision coming right from Poihipi as he kicks for the crossfield pass! Hutchinson brings it down 10 out on the edge, spins away inside from a defender and dives over for his third!