• Auckland have overcome Canterbury in extra-time at Eden Park in front of 20,130 fans
• The home side trailed by 14 points at one stage in the second half
• They eventually overcame the red and blacks 40-33

It was always going to take something special to separate Auckland and Canterbury in what many saw as the dream final. All 20,130 supporters that turned up to Eden Park weren’t left disappointed as the two great rivals slugged it out over 100 gruelling minutes in the sun, wind and rain.

The opening was one fitting of a final, cagey and physical. Neither side looking to put a foot wrong meant the opening exchanges were somewhat stop-start.

The visitors were the first to strike with a penalty through the boot of first-five Brett Cameron. Canterbury had the first clear cut chance to dot down first, but it was only desperate scrambling defence from Auckland that forced the Cantabrians in to the error.

The red and black wave continued however, constant pressure at lineout time through their rolling maul resulting in a penalty try. One try turned to two soon after as George Bridge was able to scythe his way through for Canterbury who had the extra man with Akira Ioane yellow carded after the penalty try.

Auckland however weren’t rolling over quickly. Tumua Manu was able to strike back for the blue and whites to get them on the board.

Brett Cameron struck again as the halftime hooter sounded and the rain started to pour to record his second penalty of the afternoon.

Canterbury went down to 14-men early in the second spell with openside Billy Harmon sent to the bin. Auckland, as a result, were able to camp inside the visitors for a sustained period. Quick thinking from Akira Ioane from the back of the scrum saw him burst through the desperate Canterbury defence from close-range to narrow the deficit.

Two further Brett Cameron penalties saw the Cantabs push their lead out to 14.

Auckland then began to work their way back into the red and black half. Sticking to structures and building phases eventually saw Canterbury defenders at a minimum and Jordan Trainor canter his way in to narrow the gap to just 7.

With less than 10 minutes remaining Auckland had tied the game up. Repeated attacking scrums finally saw the home side exploit an overlap on the short-side allowing Caleb Clarke to slide home in the corner. Harry Plummer was on-hand to slot the conversion from wide-out and ensure the match would go to extra-time with neither side able to break the deadlock.

The first ten minutes of extra time got underway and like the beginning of the match, Canterbury scored first. Tom Sanders was able to find his way over through a myriad of bodies close to the line.

As the hooter sounded for the end of the first-half of extra time, the blue and whites struck back. A final push to the line saw Mike Sosene-Feagai find his way through the sea of red and black jerseys to burrow over and lock the scores up once more.

Auckland finally took the lead for the first time in the match in the 93^rd minute when Melani Nanai was able to get on the outside of a failing Canterbury defence before offloading the ball inside to Leon Fukofuka who was able to streak away for the try.

Auckland 40 (T Manu, A Ioane, J Trainor, C Clarke, M Sosene-Feagai, L Fukofuka tries; H Plummer 5 conversions)

Canterbury 33 (Penalty try, G Bridge, T Sanders tries; B Cameron 2 conversions; B Cameron 4 penalties)

(Halftime: 7 – 20)