HIGHLIGHTS: Tasman v Canterbury

Canterbury began their Mitre 10 Cup defence with a 39-0 victory over last year's beaten finalists Tasman Makos in Nelson.

The Christchurch-based outfit were 20-0 up at half-time with tries coming from George Bridge and Dominic Bird helping Glenn Delany's men to forge a healthy advantage at the interval.

Richie Mo'unga provided 10 points off the kicking tee as the visitors showed no ill effects of Scott Robertson's departure from the coaching staff.

The second half remained scoreless until Luke Whitelock broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, further tries from Rob Thompson and Mitchell Dunshea secured the bonus-point victory.