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Having been away from the country for some time this winter I only came in on the end of what turned out to be one grand show for New Zealand rugby. But it is time to pay tribute to the circumstances of what happened this season to the Ranfurly Shield rugby series.
Why you ask? Why should there be a story published here about an aging piece of oak with some silver implants screwed into its face?
Two reasons I guess; one is because of the significance of the Ranfurly Shield trophy to New Zealand rugby. And how it has lapsed in implication to New Zealand fans in recent years.
And two; it is because the Ranfurly Shield is back in the town where I live, Wellington, and it has taken 27 years for that to happen.
I could say 'about bloody time!'
The Ranfurly Shield once had a rich and imperious history in all New Zealand sport. The unique challenge system whereby the challenging provinces used to battle the home town holders each week of every winter brought about some of the most extraordinary sporting scenes ever witnessed in this country.
Crowds of over 50,000, all wearing their colours and banners used to flock to the challenges and the games brought tensions and anticipation like no other provincial rugby offered.
Ranfurly rocked by Super 12
But, and it is a very big 'BUT,' with the arrival in 1996 of the professional rugby era and a switch in emphasis to, firstly Super 12 then Super 14 rugby, and then a new emphasis on the sponsored Air New Zealand National Provincial Championships it was the Ranfurly Shield which suffered. Its slump in significance to our rugby was dramatic and sad to watch. It is hard to say why but within a few years of the mid-nineties no one seemed to care any more.
This was partly, may I say, because of the repetitive nature of the holders; mostly Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato. No one could beat them. And there was also the growing weakness of the challengers. To the point where this year Auckland, while generously taking the Shield away from its home ground advantage several times, had to play two of their challenges in front of the most meagre crowds. The Shield was in a slump. No one seemed to care a jot.
But now I write with a soaring spirit.
The Shield returned to its full glory in its last two weeks of 2008. Firstly, NPC high-flyers Wellington took a hardy band of supporters to Auckland to challenge the home team. Auckland was having a bad season. Worse, they seemed indifferent to the Shield and its rich history.
There was not even a mention of the Ranfurly Shield on the cover of the match programme the night Wellington challenged and there were no articles inside praising the home team. That made the giveaway programme hardly a collector's item. But now I have one, thanks to a generous friend. You see, Wellington won the game 27-0 and the Ranfurly Shield came back in the capital for the first time since1982.
And what a welcome it received!
An airport crowd of several thousand, a city street parade, full page newspaper photos, pages and pages of stories, and radio and TV excitement. Honestly, it was just like the good old days.
And there was a glorious first defence too. Racked with internal strife little Tasman came to town after Wellington had been in possession of the Shield for just a week.
Classic challenge
The Makos' challenge was another classic. They provided a real jolt to the Wellington team's (over) confidence. They reminded the holders that you cannot play on a full week's Ranfurly Shield celebratory hangover.
Some denied that had happened of course, and said that instead Wellington played with 'first defence jitters.' Maybe so, as the Shield history is littered with upset results.
Tasman led 13-11 with just ten minutes to play and only a cruel refereeing decision denied them playing the final moments with a full compliment of talent. Wellington won in the end by 26-20 but were given massive moments of anxiety.
That being said I have to repeat I loved the last two Shield games of this season. They were a reminder of so many great battles of the past.
They have offered more than a hint that away from Eden Park or Lancaster Park (or whatever that ground's sponsor's name is now) the old 'Log 'O Wood' can still grab the attention like nothing else in New Zealand rugby.
Take these memories of the last time Wellington won a challenge and maybe you will get the feeling of what the Shield can be like. And what I hope can happen to the Ranfurly Shield again.
It was in Hamilton, a Wellington 22-4 win over Waikato in 1981. Wellington had a star-studded line up that day. Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser, Alan Hewson, Murray Mexted etc. I was there and went to the Wellington dressing room afterwards to obtain some TV interviews. Inside the beer was flowing and a number of players were dancing in the nude around the famous trophy. It was a prized sweetheart to have.
Not quite the naked chef!
I quietly asked for Stu Wilson to come forward and speak. He stood up and said he was available. There was a slight problem however. He was totally starkers, except for a heavily strapped ankle. You could say a flag was flying.
No problems though. A gabardine overcoat was thrown over him and carrying a bucket of ice Stu and I went outside for the interview.
The camera rolled and the Ranfurly Shield win was discussed. As I asked the questions Wilson's partner-in-crime Bernie Fraser crept up and reached for my microphone. He thankfully was fully dressed.
Fraser then took over asking Stu the questions in a mocking TV commentator's voice. Easy to do I guess.
I wish I'd had a camera with me. There I was, muted for once. Fraser had the mike and was asking silly questions. Wilson was replying while naked under a coat and with his sore ankle resting in the ice bucket! A classic bit of Shield fun.
The next year 1982 I was also involved in a Wellington Ranfurly Shield camera incident. The night before Canterbury lodged their challenge in Wellington I had arranged a studio TV interview with the two captains, Paul Quinn of Wellington and Canterbury's Don Hayes. We were allowed to have the Ranfurly Shield in the studio with us.
Those were the days of no need for massive security. So afterwards I took the trophy home to my place for the night. It had to be returned to Athletic Park the next afternoon. It rested that night on a bedside table in my 8 year old son's bedroom.
Next morning we took the famous trophy out onto the driveway to have our picture taken with it. As we did, cars in the street screeched to a halt and kids, on their way to their Saturday morning sports, came rushing over. They touched and cradled the trophy. It was a good example of the regard and respect they instinctively knew about one of rugby's great traditions. The photo of my son and I with the Ranfurly Shield is a family favourite.
Back home
Later that afternoon Canterbury played the game of their lives and won 16-12. Wayne Smith, then an All Black raced away for a thrilling try and the Ranfurly Shield disappeared from the capital. Until this year when it finally came back 'home' again.
My son is now 34 and could be described now as a 'burly policeman.' He remembers well the night the Shield had been in his bedroom. For 27 years he could claim to have been the last Wellingtonian to spend any time with it
I only mention these little bits as they are recalled as part of one person's memory of the Ranfurly Shield. Ask anyone of a certain age around the country and they will probably unearth similar fun stories. The Ranfurly Shield has been like that in our world.
So yes, the capital's rugby supporters of 2008 celebrated a 27-0 win over Auckland. Their party might have been given extra oomph as it was one point for every year they had waited!
Now as a result of two games there is a welcome return to the excitement of the Shield from everyone close to it.
And to think wee Tasman nearly spoilt it for Wellington.
Naturally I am pleased they did not. Yet somehow their effort in nearly taking the Ranfurly Shield brought out my romantic side. Wouldn't it have been fantastic if they had have won? Then 2009 would have been another great season of anticipation for New Zealand's most famous domestic rugby trophy.
The one with so many stories attached. The trophy which the whole country nearly forgot it had.
