Enjoying a special moment

Shield hero Hayden Parker signs autographs at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Shield hero Hayden Parker signs autographs at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Vic Isbister was a young man working in Wellington when he saw Otago win the Ranfurly Shield at Athletic Park 56 years ago.

Now 80, he never thought he would wait so long to see his side win it again.

''I feel magnificent.''

Mr Isbister, of Dunedin, was one of more than 1000 fans to attend a reception at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday afternoon to welcome the shield to its new home.

Fans lined up to see the trophy up close, congratulate players, take photos and let the big win sink in.

Mr Isbister hoped Friday's win heralded the start of another winning era for the side.

He was confident the shield could be held until the end of the season.

He said he had been able to accept the first 30 years of unsuccessful challenges, but ''boy, it really hurt over the last 25''.

The 19-11 win in 1957 was unexpected, too, he said, noting that Athletic Park no longer existed and Carisbrook was being demolished.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull urged fans to enjoy the moment, as the trophy's history suggested it might not stay too long in one place.

Mr Cull, who was 7 when Otago last held the shield, said the win was a triumph for fans as well as the team.

He joked the timing was perfect because it was too late for coach Tony Brown to run for the mayoralty.

Three generations of the Henderson family were at the stadium yesterday, grandfather Peter Henderson (67) keen for his granddaughters Madeline (6), Genevieve (1), and Amelie (10) to be part of the moment.

''It's history. The girls need to know the history,'' he said.

Mr Henderson, who grew up in Owaka, said he was about 10 when the team last won the shield. He recalled his mother telling him the news.

Son Wayne Henderson (38) said he had started to wonder if he would ever see Otago prevail, Friday's ''surreal'' win was yet to sink in.

The victory was an early birthday present for Stewart Paul, of Waikouaiti, who turns 40 today. He had closely followed the team's near misses over the years, and wanted to savour the win before thinking about the first defence next weekend.

The shield win was a much-needed boost for the whole province, he said, as he queued with son Nickalous (7) for a closer look at it. Rob Girvan (33), of Waihola, with son Jack (5), said he felt a sense of relief after the years of disappointment.

The atmosphere at the stadium in Dunedin yesterday was ''awesome'', and he hoped a street parade was also being planned.

Paul Hendry, of Dunedin, brought his favourite rugby books along to be signed. He had had the pair of them carefully stowed away for more than 30 years to be signed the next time the province won the shield.

The 49-year-old was still hoarse from the game on Friday, the ''magic'' win bringing him to tears.

The win made him so happy, he would hardly have cared if the All Blacks lost against Australia on Saturday. John Hollows (45), of Dunedin, with young sons Angus and Blake, felt the win reflected the team's return to its grass roots since the Otago union's financial turmoil last year.

"There was a new ethos centred around born-and-bred Otago players, who displayed ''pride and passion'' on the field, Mr Hollows said.

Long-time friends Hanz Howie (49) and John Finnie (54), both of Dunedin, had not been born when Otago was last triumphant.

Together they had gone ''through the pain'' of the past few decades, and it was good to finally be able to celebrate, Mr Finnie said.

The win made Olive Burt (84) nostalgic for the times she attended rugby games at Carisbrook with late husband Len.

She was thrilled the province had won, and hoped to attend the first defence next weekend.

''Who would have thought we would have to wait this long?''

She enjoyed following the sport, though it was not quite the same without her husband, who used to play for Pirates.

- eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

 

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