Both Otago and Hawkes Bay have experienced their share of Ranfurly Shield glory and heartache. Ahead of Sunday's big game, Hayden Meikle looks back at the shield matches between the provinces.
First clash
September 9, 1925
Hawkes Bay claimed the shield for the first time in 1922 and embarked on the first of two glorious reigns. It had successfully repelled 18 challengers when Otago finally got a crack. Hawkes Bay dominated the game in Hastings, beating Otago 34-14. Jackie Blake scored a hat trick in the eight-tries-to-two win. The Bay would see off five more challengers before losing the shield to Wairarapa.
Brook defended I
August 31, 1938
Otago and Southland monopolised the shield between 1936 and 1950. Five defences into its second reign, Otago hosted Hawkes Bay at Carisbrook. Otago won 4-0. Doesn't sound too exciting, but broadcasting doyen Iain Gallaway later recalled this as one of the great shield games at Carisbrook. A wobbly Dave Trevathan drop goal (then worth four points) was the difference between the sides. The pre-game banter revolved around a heated debate over the use of a local referee.
Brook defended II
August 28, 1948
Otago was untouchable in the late 1940s, and it defended the shield 18 times. The eighth defence was against Hawkes Bay, and Otago won 12-6. The Bay had been struggling that season but gave the shield holder a fright. The referee, Wellington policeman Bill Firmin, made several decisions that were ''hooted and catcalled'' by the crowd, according to Shield Fever. Booing is obviously not a modern phenomenon.
So close
September 23, 1967
Hawkes Bay was in the middle of its second, and last, glorious shield reign when Otago came to town.
The Bay had not conceded a try in any of its five previous challenges that year. Otago spoiled that record when flanker Warren Townsend crossed the line, and led 8-3 for a while. But, foreshadowing another 40-plus years of bad luck stories, Otago slumped to a 9-8 loss when an unheralded reserve halfback scored the winning try for the home side.
Post script
Hawkes Bay lost the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury in its last defence in 1969. The Bay has not held it since.
Otago spent 56 years in the Ranfurly Shield wilderness, producing 22 failed challenges before claiming it from Waikato last Friday.
