Tasman dominated the red and blacks right from kick-off this afternoon, declaring themselves as early competition favourites with the 23-8 victory.

Tasman 23 (Levi Aumua, Leicester Faingaanuku, Shannon Frizell tries, Mitch Hunt 1 cons, 2 pens) defeated Canterbury 8 (Josh McKay tries, Brent Cameron 1 pen)

In the only changes from the team that played Manawatu, Jordan Taufua starts at No. 8 with Liam Squire moving to the bench. Parri Pari Parkinson comes onto bench in place of Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta

Everything but the weather went pretty well at Lansdowne Park on Saturday as we got our season off to the start we wanted to. It’s hard in some ways to gauge, because of the conditions, how we executed our skills set and plans but one positive is we played with intent and physicality.