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Scrum --> Ranfurly
Shield --> About the Shield
The Ranfurly
Shield
The pride of New Zealand's rugby provinces, the hard fought battles, the grit
and determination, the blood, sweat and tears - all to hold aloft the Ranfurly
Shield - the log of wood.
Rugby teams strive to successfully challenge for the Shield. Once firmly in the
grasp of the rugby province, the visiting teams attempt to grab the glory for
themselves, pitting strength and determination against the holders who will do
everything in their power to keep hold of the Shield.
When the smaller rugby unions make a successful challenge for the Shield, you
are guaranteed that the people in the towns, come together as one. This usually
results in parades down the main streets, shop windows decorated and a general
'buzz' in the air for what everyone knows is the peak of provincial rugby, retaining
the Ranfurly Shield.
Brief History of the Ranfurly Shield
In 1901, the Earl of Ranfurly, Governor of New
Zealand, announced his intention of presenting a cup
to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union, of which he
was patron. Ranfurly made no stipulation as to what
form the competition for the trophy should take, leaving
the national union to decide. The annual general meeting
of the NZRFU in 1902 decided that the cup should be
for competition among affiliated unions on a challenge
basis, the first holder to be the union with the best
record for the 1902 season.
When the trophy arrived it was found to be a shield, rather than a cup, and had
obviously been designed for a soccer competition. The centre-piece was duly altered
and on 13 September, 1902, the shield was presented by the Governor to G.H.Dixon,
the Auckland delegate to the NZRFU. Auckland, with an unbeaten record, was declared
the first winner of the Ranfurly Shield. |
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