Shield game shapes as a classic

One hell of a game is forecast as Canterbury come for the Ranfurly Shield.

Only Waikato can rain on that parade, with Canterbury hoping to win the famous Log o’ Wood for the first time in six years in Hamilton tonight.

But the Mooloos have other ideas. Waikato battled back courageously to thwart Taranaki’s challenge and draw 20-20 in Hamilton in round five of the Mitre 10 Cup.

That was their sixth successful defence of the year, their third in the national provincial championship, and their most gutsy effort after beating Thames Valley, King Country, Wanganui, North Harbour and Manawatu.

This week’s NPC fixtures begin with Canterbury’s tilt at taking the shield south.

Waikato coach Sean Botherway expects the clash to be memorable, as the Mooloos look to bounce back from the 35-26 loss to Countiesmanukau in Pukekohe last Friday.

‘‘This sort of fixture, with what’s at stake, when you pit yourself

against the best, is why you play the game,’’ said Botherway.

‘‘There’s a lot of excitement and a lot of determination. I’m pretty confident it’s going to be a hell of a game.’’

Canterbury top the standings on 26 points, having played a game fewer than Taranaki, Counties and Auckland, who are second, third and fourth respectively.

Waikato sit below the semifinal spots in fifth on 18 points, with both preparing for their seventh game of the season and their second of three in nine or 10 days.

Botherway said they weren’t making any excuses for the fixture pile-up, with the Mooloos freshened up by seven changes from the starting XV that lost to Counties.

‘‘It is just one [game] at a time. I know some people will think that’s a cliche but it’s exactly how we approach it,’’ he added.

‘‘Sometimes you’ve got five games to prepare, sometimes you’ve got fewer days to prepare.

‘‘But everyone has to do it. We don’t want to have any excuses and we’re not making any.’’

Waikato welcome back regular starters Jacob Skeen, Brian Alainu’uese and Jordan Manihera to the forward pack, with Jordan Trainor returning at fullback.

‘‘Those boys have done a hell of a job at the front end of the season, so it’s always good to have that sort of experience and skill sets available,’’ said Botherway.

Murray Iti will start at openside flanker in place of the injured Mitch Jacobson, with props Tau Koloamatangi and Sefo Kautai replacing Latu Talakai and Josh Iosefa-scott in the front row.

Adam Burn and Leva Fifita are dropped to the bench, which came good for Waikato as they fought back to snatch a bonus point in the defeat to Counties, with first-five eighth Jason Robertson scoring their fourth try of the night.

Counties prop Kalolo Tuiloma barged over for a hat-trick in the first 17 minutes as the Mooloos fell to their second defeat of the season.

‘‘That was the bright spot out of the game - the fact that guys came on and had an energy and an enthusiasm that probably showed up some of our starters to be fair,’’ added Botherway.

Chiefs prop Atu Moli is close to recovering from an ankle injury that’s kept him out of Waikato’s last two games. Experienced duo Isaac Boss (hamstring) and Stephen Donald (lat) are still managing their respective injuries week to week.