Embracing the challenge Turbos have chance for shield glory
What was looking to be a chance to rest some players for the Turbos has suddenly become a crucial match after Taranaki lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury.
In the middle of the busiest stage of the season, the chance to rest the likes of Jackson Hemopo, who has played every minute of the season, sounded like a handy proposition with a very winnable match against Hawke’s Bay coming on Sunday.
But with the shield on the line, that logic can be thrown out the door. It will be all hands on deck as the side chase a chance to itch their name into provincial rugby history.
Wednesday night will be Manawatu¯ ’s 23rd challenge for the Log o’ Wood.
Their sole successful tilt came in 1976 as Manawatu¯ and an estimated 2500 fans travelled to Auckland and stunned the home side 12-10 thanks to a wobbly Doug Rollerson dropped goal.
Rollerson referred to the dropped goal as ‘‘the worst dropped goal you would have ever seen’’.
Nonetheless, it sailed over the posts and now sits among the greatest moments in Manawatu¯ rugby. The province defended the shield for 13 games until a controversial loss to North Auckland saw the shield disappear for good - the name Bill Adlam is still greeted by a wince from those who remember the Wanganui referee allowing the game to continue as the stadium clock hit fulltime and the scoreboard attendant packed away the clock hands.
Chippie Semenoff was the man whose penalty bounced off the upright and over the posts break the hearts of Manawatu¯ fans.
And that was the end of the shield’s history in green and white country.
Since then the shield has meant only disappointment in the region with nine failed challenges.
The closest challenge came last year when Waikato got home 19-10.
Perhaps the memories and experience of that match will have this year’s squad better prepared.
The trip to New Plymouth has rarely been positive for Manawatu¯ and it has been worse when the shield is on the line.
Back in 2012 the Turbos were walloped 59-18, that was their third loss in three challenges against Taranaki.
But shield unpredictable. challenges are
That was highlighted by the stunning fashion Taranaki closed out their 55-43 win over Canterbury on Friday night.
Taranaki have quietly been ticking along with a great season with just one loss to their name through eight games.
They have good depth in their backs and forwards and a centrepairing capable of picking apart the Turbos’ weak flimsy midfield defence.
But Manawatu¯ proved against Canterbury last year that they can knock off the front-runners.
They probably played well enough to beat Taranaki last year, but for a horror refereeing performance from Brett Johnson.
If they Turbos stand any chance of winning in New Plymouth, they need their fans to mobilise.
There is no doubt there will be plenty of Taranaki fans along to witness their first defence so there will need to be a vocal group of bucketheads to drown them out.