Canterbury claimed their sixth consecutive ITM Cup Premiership title thanks to a 29-13 win over Wellington Lions on Saturday.
The winner's performance was built on brutal and organised defence and they forced the Lions into making mistakes from which they capitalised in terms of territory, possession and points.
The Lions led at half-time with Lima Sopoaga their hero as he scored all of their 10 points but in the second 40, it was the men in red and black who pulled away as the experience in their ranks proved to be the difference between the two sides. Wellington's three-point half-time lead was soon extinguished with Ryan Crotty, Tyler Bleyendaal and George Whitelock all going over to hand Canterbury the title.