All Blacks hopeful Sonny Bill Williams delivered an error-free performance when he made a long-awaited and winning debut in the ITM Cup for Canterbury in Christchurch tonight.
Canterbury, with a dominant scrum, beat Bay of Plenty 28-9 in a three tries to none victory after a scrappy sixth round match punctuated by a large number of penalties called by referee Garratt Williamson.
Williams came off the bench to warm up as early as the fifth minute when second five-eighth Ryan Crotty wrenched an ankle and then took the field in the 18th minute when Crotty came off.
Williams did not see the ball for a while as Canterbury concentrated on kicking for territory for most of the first half but then showed some classy touches with some neat off loads when the ball did get to him.
His defence was never really tested with any intent by Bay of Plenty but he produced a try-saving touch when his dive drove last week's hat-trick scorer Lelia Masaga into the corner flag in the second half.
Bay of Plenty took a 6-0 lead through two Mike Delaney penalties as both sides applied an ineffectual kicking game with a vengeance from kickoff although at scrum time, the Canterbury front row of Owen Franks, Corey Flynn and Wyatt Crockett were untroubled by their opposites.
Canterbury pivot Stephen Brett closed the gap with a penalty of his own and then hardworking No 8 Nasi Manu powered over from 15 metres for a converted try which completed scoring in the first half.
An early second half penalty by Brett stretched the lead to 13-9 and Bay of Plenty had no answer once Canterbury began to keep the ball in hand.
Blindside flanker Matt Todd was on hand to take the final pass from Sam Whitelock to score an unconverted try after a concerted buildup from Canterbury involving backs and forwards.
Brett kicked another penalty and then in the best move of the match, centre Robbie Fruean scythed through the Bay of Plenty defence to score his seventh try of the season after Canterbury won their own lineout.
NZPA