Ranfurly Shield

Taranaki can safely place the Ranfurly Shield under lock and key over the summer after surviving their first challenge by national provincial championship rivals Hawke's Bay today.

Taranaki regained the Ranfurly Shield with a gritty 15-12 victory over Southland in their national provincial championship rugby match in Invercargill last night.

All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan took great delight in pocketing $100 from his skipper Richie McCaw after Southland wrested rugby's Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury for the second time in two years yesterday.

Lightning does indeed strike twice. Just ask national provincial rugby champions Canterbury.

Ralph Darling did everything he could to write himself into Ranfurly Shield immortality on Saturday.

Barry Matthews had no complaints and just one wish after North Otago's Ranfurly Shield loss on Saturday.

All Black hopeful Colin Slade safely negotiated a solid 40 minutes of game-time as Canterbury beat North Otago 52-8 in a pre-season rugby match that doubled as a Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch today.

North Otago will play its 11th Ranfurly Shield challenge when it lines up against a depleted Canterbury side at Rugby Park in Christchurch this afternoon.

Canterbury has been bolstered by the return of All Blacks Owen Franks and Brad Thorn for their first Ranfurly Shield defence against Counties-Manukau in Christchurch on Saturday.

Canterbury welcome back hooker Corey Flynn and prop Peter Borlase for the national provincial championship rugby match and Ranfurly Shield challenge against Southland in Invercargill on Saturday night.