Canterbury have won their fifth Farah Palmer Cup in six years, defeating Auckland Storm 41-14 at Christchurch.
After surrendering their hold of the Farah Palmer Cup to Waikato in 2021, Canterbury added to their growing stranglehold of provincial rugby, denying Auckland a 16th title in the process.
The victory is the perfect send-off for Canterbury and Black Ferns icon Kendra Cocksedge, who'll retire from the game after this year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
The retiring halfback scored 21 of her side's points - more than Auckland managed all up.
In a fast start to the first half, it took Canterbury just three minutes to open the scoring, as winger Martha Mataele crossed over on the right for the first try of the game.
Two minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead through hooker Georgia Ponsonby, again exposing Auckland's defence on the right.
Canterbury's missed opportunities with the boot kept Auckland in the game, as a try to Ruahei Demant closed the gap to three points at 10-7.
A penalty to Cocksedge gave Canterbury a six-point advantage at 13-6 by the time halftime arrived.
After the break-though, Canterbury unleashed with the attack that's seen them close out 2022 with a perfect record.
Two more penalties for Cocksedge paved the way for front rower Pip Love to score, before Cocksedge went over herself, intercepting from an Auckland scrum to race away and get a try in her Canterbury finale.
Centre Amy du Plessis went over on the left to further extend Canterbury's lead, as Cocksedge's boot took the score over 40.
With the final play of the game, Auckland scored a consolation effort through replacement prop Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono, but it was ultimately too little, too late for the Storm as they fell to defeat.
Canterbury 41 (Mataele, Ponsonby, Cocksedge, Du Plessis tries; Cocksedge 2 conversions; Cocksedge 4 penalties) Auckland Storm 14 (Demant, Po'e-Tofaeono tries; Fisher, Maliepo conversions)
