Canterbury have won their seventh national rugby title in eight years with a 25-23 win over Auckland in the Premiership final in Christchurch.
Canterbury win ITM Cup Premiership title Photo: Photosport
Experienced certainly helped the homeside who scored three tries to two and led 19-16 at the break.
Patrick Osborne, Dominic Bird and Ryan Crotty touched down for Canterbury, while Tom Taylor kicked two penalties and two conversions.
Greg Pleasants-Tate and Mitch Karpik scored tries for Auckland with Simon Hickey kicking three penalties and two conversions.
Auckland weren't helped by having a player yellow-carded in the first half and Bird scored during that time.
The match was the 100th and last appearance for Canterbury fullback and former All Black Tom Taylor, who is off to France to play for Tourlon.
