Holding the shield ‘pretty cool’ treat

One Otago rugby fan received an early birthday present yesterday when he got to hold the Ranfurly Shield as it made a visit to the town a day before he turned 9.

Tristan Dobson was joined by Otago players Sam Gilbert (left) and James Lentjes, fresh from their victory over Taranaki.

The pair were met by a group of children who came to see the shield at the Balclutha Rugby Football Club.

Tristan said it was "pretty cool" but the shield was "a bit slippery to hold".

Otago Rugby Union spokesman Thomas Grant said Balclutha was "only stop number two" in a whistle-stop tour around Otago.

"Tomorrow we’ll be in Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown."

The final stop would be welcoming the shield home to Ranfurly, before the team’s first defence against Hawke’s Bay next Sunday at Forsyth Barr stadium.