Ngane Punivai scores Canterbury's opening try. Photo: Photosport
Canterbury have booked their spot in an all-South Island NPC final, overcoming Hawke's Bay 43-19 in their semi-final at Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium.
Second-five Dallas McLeod scored a rapid-fire try double midway through the second half to provide the impetus for the victory and the regular-season tabletoppers will now host southern neighbours Otago for the title next weekend.
Canterbury took the initial advantage with an early penalty and then stretched that margin, when captain Tom Christie won a breakdown deep in his own half and sent winger Ngane Punivai in from long range.
Hawke's Bay No.8 Devan Flanders narrowly missed a kick-and-chase response and, at the other end, Punivai missed a try double, when marker Naria Fomai nudged him into touch before the corner flag.
From an ensuing penalty, the Canterbury forwards won a lineout and laid siege on the tryline, until lock Sam Darry barged over.
When Punivai was yellow-carded, the Magpies seized their chance, with Fomai capitalising on a turnover win by Flanders.
Canterbury were back to full strength, when Bay halfback Folau Fakatava dummied and dove across for their second try, as the 15-0 lead had all but evaporated.
At halftime, the home side were just 15-14 ahead and hadn't scored in 20 minutes, but they were the first to strike after the break, when Christie rumbled down the left touchline and McLeod was the first runner off the ruck.
Moments later, McLeod had his second, after a period of sustained pressure from a five-metre scrum. That one-two punch broke the shackles and prop Daniel Lienert-Brown was next to score, after Darry charged down an attempted clearance kick and skillfully controlled the deflection.
Winger Jonah Lowe grabbed one back for Hawke's Bay, but they weren't able to mount a serious comeback, as time ran out on their season.
Christie was finally rewarded for his industry, when he ran a winger's line to score in the dying seconds.
Canterbury have won nine NPC titles, since it was revamped in 2006, but last prevailed in 2017. Otago have not enjoyed success during that period.
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