Wellington Choke! Again!

It's official. The Wellington Lions are New Zealand rugby's perennial chokers.

In the last ten years, they've only missed out on the final 4 out of 11 times, but their record in finals is played 7 and lost 7, including 4 at home at Westpac Stadium - no wonder the fans didn't really turn up this time, most fans were expecting another defeat for the home side.

While the other defeats were disappointing, this must surely rank as the most disappointing of the 7 finals defeats. After all, this was the same Wellington side that had gone unbeaten until the final regular season game which was really a dead rubber, and had dispatched Counties Manukau with relative ease.

It boasted a squad of All Blacks and Super Rugby players, i.e. John Schwalger, Motu Matu'u, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Brad Shields, Victor Vito, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby, Tim Bateman, Alapati Leuaia, Charlie Ngatai and of course the promising Ardie Savea. This was considered to be one of the best Wellington sides of all time.

If only the ITM Cup were contested on a round robin basis, Wellington would have more championships in that case.

Alas, some credit should go to Canterbury who have won their 6 national title on the trot, equaling the record held by Auckland through the late 80s and early 90s.

They showed the same dominance in defence and tactical prowess that has been prominent in all their 5 previous victories in New Zealand provincial rugby's showpiece game and made it clear that they are still very much the team to beat when it comes to provincial rugby.

Georgie - champion, again!

George Whitelock was tremendous in defence - a shame that he's playing in a position that Richie McCaw is playing in and has now probably missed his chance with the likes of Sam Cane and Ardie Savea now in pole position for selection as he would have been an All Black ages ago. Tom Taylor was impeccable with the boot too and he along with Ryan Crotty showed why they're going on tour to Japan and Europe next month.

The only downside on a night of many upsides - including Scott Robertson's dancing at the end - was the injury to Joe Moody that could possibly cost the player who has been in the All Blacks wider training squad for much of this season, his first cap on this tour - his knee was heavily iced at the end.

Mind you it could provide the one and only upside on the night for Wellington - Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, a player who was set for his first cap of the season, might very well be the player to take Moody's spot in the ABs on tour.

Congratulations Canterbury!