A second-half try by Mose Tuali’i’ gave Canterbury a 20-13 win over Taranaki and leadership of the Air New Zealand Cup.
The former New Zealand number eight touched down early in the second period to give the tournament favourites victory.
Hayden Hopgood and Rico Gear had scored in the first half, with Scott Waldrom crossing the line for hosts Taranaki.
The southerners’ failure to secure a bonus point leaves Auckland able to take sole leadership if they can beat Tasman on Saturday.
