Shield fever

Charlie Lilley, 5, grins as he poses with the Ranfurly Shield alongside Otago players Finn Hurley (left) and Saula Ma’u when the Shield came to Molyneux Park in Alexandra as part of a tour of Central Otago yesterday.

Shortly before the Shield arrived, a crowd of all ages began to grow and children dressed in blue and gold kicked rugby balls on the turf waiting for its arrival.

When it did, rugby balls were excitedly dropped and children crowded around the Shield waiting their turn for a picture.

A small talk about the history of the Shield was also held for the crowd of almost 100 people.

The 123-year-old shield was won from Canterbury after a nail-biting 38-36 victory in Christchurch last Saturday.

Otago face a challenge for the Shield from North Harbour at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.