The 'Naki lift the Sheild

[bunter]

In a tryless, hard game against Southland, Taranaki held out to secure the Ranfurly Sheild by 15-12 today. 15 years to the day since they last won it off Auckland.
Taranaki will have one defence only this season against Hawkes Bay on 28th August, and will have to be playing well to retain the Sheild.

[shasta]

A game for the purists, Ash and thoroughly enjoyable. I'm a bit of a Stags supporter myself and enjoyed their shield defenses and the winning back from Canterbury not so long ago. If only Oz Rugby had traditions strong enough to bring Test Match intensity to provincial Rugby.

[SinBin]

Watched Hawkes Bay rip Counties Manukau apart last Sunday 44-14. I note from this that Taranaki will have home advantage!

Hot issue discussed many times before, but how great it would be to have a domestic comp like the NPC/ITM - the standard of rugby is a joy to watch.

[brokendown gunfighter]

just shows why NZ rugby is so strong

[bunter]

Fair comment both posts. Why the hell can't the ARU structure and support an Australia wide comp similar to this instead of looking only at NSW/QU.

There is a great depth of quality rugby players thrown up by this competition in NZ, something that the Wallabies sorely miss here.

[antiussentiment]

i wish we had a trophy similar to the log of wood in this country...

for those that don't know. when you win it, your home games (basically) become shield defenses. against whom so ever you are playing (from any comp). you can decline a defense under certain circumstances, but i believe this is rare.

it's an awesome idea.

EDIT; in australia we could call it the nugget of metal