Ranfurly Shield challenge match a coup for local fans

opportunity for our players, management, supporters, and community, to be part of a Ranfurly Shield is fantastic. Our rugby community has fond memories of a challenge we hosted 30 years ago. That was a massive event, and we think this challenge will be even bigger.”

Horowhenua-Kaᾱpiti had previously had 10 Ranfurly Shield challenges, the first and closest scoreline being a 14-3 loss to Taranaki at Hᾱwera in 1914.

The biggest defeat was a 99-6 loss to North Harbour in 2007 at Albany.

The province amalgamated with Manawatu¯ in the 1920s to form Manawhenua, successfully winning the Ranfurly Shield in 1927 and defending it against Wairarapa and Taranaki, before losing to Canterbury later that season.

A Ranfurly Shield challenge was a real coup for local fans, and the third high-profile match to be played at Levin Domain this season after it had already hosted a Super Rugby Pacific pre-season match between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders, and a Super Rugby Aupiki match between the Hurricanes Poua and the Chiefs Manawa.

Horowhenua-Kᾱpiti coach Aleni Feagaiga would now bring together a squad to prepare for the Shield challenge on their home turf. The match would be on a Wednesday afternoon and coincided with the school holidays.

As Meads Cup Champions in 2022, South Canterbury automatically earned themselves a challenge for a second consecutive year and would meet the winner of the Wellington v Horowhenua-Kᾱpiti game.

Wellington Rugby Football Union chief executive officer Shannon Paku said both pre-season challenges would be worthy occasions for the famous Log o’ Wood.

“It’s fantastic to be taking the Ranfurly Shield to Levin, not only for them to host a Shield challenge, it’s also great to be able to have the opportunity to defend it against our close neighbours,” Paku said.

“If we are successful in defending the Shield against HorowhenuaKapiti, we know we’ll have a tough task ahead with South Canterbury.”

The Wellington Lions won the Log o’ Wood off Hawke’s Bay late last season, before successfully defending it a week later against Waikato.

If the Lions are successful in defending the Shield against Horowhenua-Kᾱpiti then South Canterbury will make the trip to Wellington for their challenge the following Wednesday (July 19).

Last year South Canterbury gave Hawke’s Bay a run for their money, going down 38-20.

Tim Hyde-Smith, chief executive officer of South Canterbury Rugby, said: “South Canterbury Rugby Union are excited once again to be in the position to challenge for one of New Zealand’s most historical and prestige sporting memorabilia, the Ranfurly Shield.

“It is going to be a wonderful experience and we look forward to being hosted by Wellington Rugby Football Union.”

More details, including kickoff times and ticketing information, will be announced by the Wellington union in the coming months.