The Ranfurly Shield.
Otago may have a Ranfurly Shield challenge next year
after electing to play Waikato.
The 14 provincial unions carried out the process of selecting
crossover games for next year's ITM Cup yesterday, and Otago
ended up with a good mixture.
Through the match-ups of the top-ranked unions playing the
bottom through the two divisions, Otago was already set to
play Bay of Plenty at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
It then had the choice of an opponent at home and decided to
pick Auckland.
As it made the final of the championship, Otago only had the
choice of picking from two teams and plumped for the
Aucklanders over Wellington.
Canterbury then decided to pick Otago as an opponent, so the
teams will clash in Christchurch.
The rivals did not meet this season.
The final pick for Otago was to play an opponent away and it
chose Waikato, which has the Ranfurly Shield.
Hawkes Bay had first pick of the championship sides but
decided against choosing Waikato, deciding on Bay of Plenty.
Otago leaped at the chance at a possible Ranfurly Shield
challenge.
Otago last held the Shield in 1957, and last had a challenge
in 2010.
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley was
happy with the draw and said it was a bonus to get a
challenge.
The full draw will be finalised in the new year and it would
not be known until then when Otago would face Waikato. It did
not play Waikato this year.
The selection means Otago will not play Taranaki for the
third year in a row.
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