Taranaki have booked their spot in the National Provincial Championship final, ending Canterbury's quest for a 15th title with a hardfought 23-16 semi-final win at New Plymouth.
With each team only one try apiece, the result came down to discipline and the boots of respective goalkickers.
With Crusaders first-five Fergus Burke injured during last week's semi-final, Canterbury promoted Alex Harford into the No.10 jersey and he provided an early lead with his kicking boot.
Young counterpart Josh Jacomb sparked the first try of the contest, when he put hooker Bradley Slater into space and flanker Tom Florence found halfback Adam Lennox in support to score.
The home side almost had a second, when winger Kini Naholo was pulled down just short of the line and, on the other side of the field, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens kicked ahead, but was narrowly beaten in his chase.
All Black midfielder Dallas McLeod went close for Canterbury, surging towards the tryline and eventually held up by the defence.
Jacomb and Harford exchanged penalties, as Taranaki clung to an 11-9 halftime advantage, then two more stretched the lead after the break.
Canterbury finally cracked the line, when a period of sustained pressure saw second-five Rameka Poihipi run off captain Billy Harmon to cross, with Harford's extra points bring the visitors within one. Within seconds, Poihipi moved in a spot, as former All Black Ryan Crotty entered the game for Harford, along with international prop Joe Moody.
Jacomb produced a 50-22 kick that put his side back on attack briefly, but he soon followed Harford to the sideline, as both sides looked to experience to close out the encounter.
All Blacks fullback Stephen Perofeta put veteran Jayson Potroz into space, but Canterbury halfback Mitch Drummond barely covered another speculator from Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
With Jacomb gone, Perofeta inheritted the goalkicking duties and slotted two more penalties to leave the red-and-blacks needing a converted try to extend play.
They had one last opportunity, building phases inside the Bulls' 22, but when Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens held up a maul to win the turnover, he clinched victory for his team.
"Just look at the crowd that turned up tonight," said captain Kaylum Boshier. "We've talked about it all year – we do it to put smiles on the faces.
"Canterbury are a tough side, when it comes to finals footy, and they showed that again tonight. We had to stay in the fight and we came out on top, so I'm bloody proud of the team.
"All year, we've tried to play a style of footy that everyone wants to come and enjoy, so again tonight, we did that. We've got another week to look forward to next week."
Taranaki now await the winners of the second semi between champions Wellington and Ranfulry Shield holders Hawke's Bay.
"If Hawke's Bay win, we're back here [for the final], so go Hawke's Bay," said Boshier.
Taranaki 23 (Lennox try; Jacomb 4 penalties, Perofeta 2 penalties) Canterbury 16 (Poihipi try; Harford 3 penalties & conversion)
