Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC are the 2021 Farah Palmer Cup Premiership champions after beating Canterbury 20-22 in the Final at Rugby Park, Christchurch.

After a last minute defeat to the same opponents in the 2020 Final, Waikato won the rematch securing their first title while halting Canterbury’s drive for a fifth straight title.

Waikato did not have the best start in the final as the home team were able to score the first try through Lucy Jenkins within the first 2 minutes of the match. Isabella Waterman was successful with the conversion and the reigning champs led 7-0. 

Tenika Willison got Waikato on the scoreboard when she was successful with a penalty from out in front to make the score 7-3 after 14 minutes.

Canterbury extended their lead back to 7 points after Waikato gave away a penalty in a kickable position for Waterman, she was successful with the penalty shot at goal and Canterbury led 10-3 midway through the first half.

Waterman was again successful with another penalty after Waikato was penalised for a high tackle and there would be no chance to score and the home team would take a 13-3 lead into the halftime break.

Early in the second half, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu crashed over from a few metres out for Waikato’s first try. Willison added the extras and Waikato were within 3 points of the home team.

Canterbury were reduced to 14 players after Lucy Jenkins was sent to the sin bin after the team was warned for repeated infringements around the 57 minute mark. With the extra player on the field Waikato opted for a lineout and from the driving maul, Merania Paraone, would score the go ahead try. Willison this time could not add the extras and Waikato had a 2 point lead approaching the midway point of the second half.

Repeated infringements by the home side again saw them reduced to 13 players and this time with two forwards missing Waikato opted for the scrum 5 metres out in the middle of the field. 

From that scrum, Victoria Edmonds, in their milestone match took the ball from the back of the scrum and scored under the posts. Willison was successful from out in front and Waikato had a 9 point lead with 12 minutes remaining.

With 5 minutes to play Waikato were reduced to 14 players themselves when Kelsey Teneti was penalised for a high tackle and shown a yellow card for it.

Canterbury did manage to score in the final minute when Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox scored to give the home crowd a glimmer of hope that the team might be able to mount a late comeback. But by the time Waterman was successful with the conversion, time had expired and the referee blew the whistle for full time with Waikato doing enough to claim their first Farah Palmer Cup title.

Canterbury 20 (Lucy Jenkins, Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox tries; Isabella Waterman 2 conversions, 2 penalties)

Waikato 22 (Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Merania Paraone, Victoria Edmonds tries; Tenika Willison 2 conversions, 1 penalty)

HT: 13-3

Article added: Monday 11 October 2021