NPC Rugby live updates: Wellington v Canterbury

Nine-time champions Canterbury have kicked off their NPC campaign with a 33-15 bonus point win over defending champions Wellington at Porirua on Saturday afternoon.

Canterbury fullback Johnny McNicholl opened the scoring in the sixth minute, when he crossed the tryline with ease.

After a period of sustained pressure from Wellington and missed opportunities for both sides, Wellington winger Losi Filipo used his power and a strong fend to finally crack the Canterbury defence, and score his first try of the season to level the scores at 7-all after 27 minutes.

There was no change to the score during the remainder of a tight and physically tough first half.

Wellington captain Brad Shields failed a head injury assessment early in the first half, handing the captaincy to Julian Savea.

The hosts took the lead with a penalty goal in the 54th minute, but a minute later, Canterbury had scored their second try of the game, via loose forward Corey Kellow, who pounced on a loose ball. McNicholl had his second try five minutes later to extend the lead to 19-10.

New Canterbury captain Cullen Grace joined the tryscoring action, when the No.8 ran down a ball to bring up his side's fourth try.

Replacement Wellington halfback Nui Muriwai gave his side a sniff of a comeback chance, when he scored, but Canterbury were not done, when Nick Hyde scored in the final minute of the game.

Newly capped All Black Brodie McAlister had a slight injury scare, after copping a hit in the ribs in the first half, and the Canterbury hooker was replaced early in the second half. Wellington fullback Ruben Love, who was the other All Black released for this game, came through injury-free, with his sights set on inclusion in the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad to be named on Monday.

Wellington are away to Waikato next weekend, while Canterbury host Auckland in Christchurch.

Read how the match unfolded here: