Ranfurly Shield in 2009 - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Ranfurly Shield

Challenges	10
Handovers	2
Last Holders	Southland
Successful Defences	0
Won it off	22 October, vs. Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
Score	9 - 3

The Ranfurly Shield

Ranfurly Shield

The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...

went through 10 challenges in the 2009 season changing hands twice and is currently held by Southland.

Wellington

Wellington Rugby Football Union

The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...

started off their 2009 Ranfurly Shield

Ranfurly Shield

campaign with easy wins over Heartland

Heartland Championship

The Heartland Championship New Zealand Division One competition, known for sponsorship reasons as the AA Rewards Heartland Championship, is a domestic rugby union competition in New Zealand. It was founded in 2006 as one of two successor competitions to the country's former domestic competition,...

teams Wairarapa Bush

Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union

The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union....

(90–19) and Wanganui

Wanganui Rugby Football Union

The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888....

(61–6).
Wellington had their first challenge against an Air New Zealand Cup

Air New Zealand Cup

The ITM Cup is New Zealand's annual professional domestic Rugby union competition, taking place from late July through October . It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship was split into two separate competitions. The other 12 provincial teams from the NPC...

team when they defeated Otago

Otago Rugby Football Union

The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...

on 31 July by 23 points to 19. Their second challenge was on 22 August against Auckland

Auckland representative rugby union team

The Auckland representative rugby union team is the top representative rugby union team under the Auckland Rugby Football Union in New Zealand. It competes in the ITM Cup, renamed from the Air New Zealand Cup in 2010....

, winning 16 points to 15. Wellington's last game as owner of the shield was on 29 August, a 36-14 loss to Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

.

Canterbury's first challenge of the season was against southern foes Otago

Otago Rugby Football Union

; they won the game on the 12th of September 36 points to 16. They beat Taranaki

Taranaki Rugby Union

Taranaki Rugby Football Union is the governing body of Rugby in the New Zealand province of Taranaki. The main stadium is Yarrow Stadium which is in the main centre of New Plymouth. Taranaki plays in the annual ITM Cup in which it also competes for the Ranfurly shield...

29 points to 17 to successfully defend it for the second time. Northland were next to challenge for the shield, but couldn't pull off the upset, losing 31-21. Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

's fourth challenge of the season was won comfortably 50 points to 26. In their fifth and final challenge of the season, Canterbury lost the Ranfurly Shield to Southland on 22 October 9 points to 3. Southland will not have their first challenge until next season.

Fixtures

Date	Holder	Score	Challenger	Venue	Attendance
2 July	Wellington Wellington Rugby Football Union The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...	90 - 19	Wairarapa Bush Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union....	Memorial Park, Masterton Masterton Masterton is a large town and local government district in the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It is the largest town in the Wairarapa, a region separated from Wellington by the Rimutaka ranges...	5,000
9 July		61 - 6	Wanganui Wanganui Rugby Football Union The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888....	Cook's Garden, Wanganui Wanganui Whanganui , also spelled Wanganui, is an urban area and district on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region....	unknown
31 July		23 - 19	Otago Otago Rugby Football Union The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...	Westpac Stadium Westpac Stadium Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders... , Wellington Wellington Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...	11,261
22 August		16 - 15	Auckland Auckland Rugby Football Union The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's top representative team have won New Zealand's top provincial rugby competition 16 times, more than...	Westpac Stadium Westpac Stadium Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders... , Wellington Wellington Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...	13,466
29 August		14 - 36	Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...	Westpac Stadium Westpac Stadium Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders... , Wellington Wellington Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...	18,511

12 September	Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...	36 - 16	Otago Otago Rugby Football Union The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...	AMI Stadium, Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...	16,500
18 September		29 - 17	Taranaki	AMI Stadium, Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...	8,800
26 September		31 - 21	Northland Northland Rugby Union The Northland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Northland region of New Zealand.-History:Rugby was first played in Northland in the 1870s, and the first union was set up in the province in 1895, known as the Marsden Football Union. The Northland union was founded in...	AMI Stadium, Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...	unknown
9 October		50 - 26	Manawatu Manawatu Rugby Union Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...	AMI Stadium, Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...	unknown
22 October		3 - 9	Southland Southland Rugby The Southland Rugby Football Union is a provincial rugby union who govern the Southland Region founded in 1886. The headquarters of Southland Rugby are in Invercargill, New Zealand however the Southland Union also covers country teams such as Midlands of Winton and Excelsior Rugby Club of Gore.The...	AMI Stadium, Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...	10,500

Wellington

Wellington Rugby Football Union

The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...

were the holders coming into 2009 after they won it off Auckland

Auckland representative rugby union team

in round 8 of the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup

2008 Air New Zealand Cup

The 2008 Air New Zealand Cup was a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. Matches started on Thursday 31 July 2008, and continued until the final on 25 October 2008....

. Their first two challenges were against two Heartland teams

Heartland Championship

. The first against Wairarapa Bush

Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union

The Wairarapa Bush Rugby Football Union was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union and Bush Rugby Football Union....

on the 2nd of July, which they won 90 points to 19. Their second was against Wanganui

Wanganui Rugby Football Union

The Wanganui Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Wanganui region of New Zealand. The Wanganui Rugby Football Union was formed in 1888....

on the 9th of July which they also won 61 to 6. Otago

Otago Rugby Football Union

was the first Air New Zealand Cup

Air New Zealand Cup

team to challenge in 2009 when it came in round 1 of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup

2009 Air New Zealand Cup

The 2009 Air New Zealand Cup was the 33rd provincial rugby union competition, the fourth since the competition reconstruction in 2006, involving the top 14 provincial unions in New Zealand. It ran for 15 weeks from 30 July to 7 November...

. Wellington successfully defended the shield against Otago when they beat them 23 points to 19 on the 31st of July. Auckland

Auckland representative rugby union team

were Wellingtons second challenge of the 2009 Air NZ Cup, they played them in round 4 and won 16-15 at Westpac Stadium

Westpac Stadium

Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders...

on the 22nd of August. A week later Wellington played their 3rd Air New Zealand Cup challenge and 5th overall in 2009 against Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

, after the challengers established a 26-0 lead at halftime, it was to much for Wellington to regain the lead and their Ranfurly Shield tenure with 5 successful challenges, the longest time they've held onto the shield since 1953.

vs. Wairarapa Bush

Wellington

Wellington Rugby Football Union

The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...

named a relatively young team with only David Smith

David Smith (rugby footballer)

David Smith is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays with Toulon in the French Top 14. He had most recently played provincial rugby in New Zealand for Taranaki in the ITM Cup, and before that for Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup, having played in the Super 14.- Early life and career :Smith...

having Super Rugby

Super 14

Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...

experience in the starting XV, and 22 year old Scott Fuglistaller named captain. Wairarapa Bush were a semi-finalist in the Lochore Cup section of the Heartland Championship

Heartland Championship

from the 2008 season

2008 Heartland Championship

The 2008 Heartland Championship was a provincial rugby union competition involving 12 teams from New Zealand split into two pools. Matches started on Saturday 23 August 2008 and ended with the final on 25 October....

.

Wellington scored in the first three minutes to start off with a converted try, a penalty three minutes later put the scores to 10-0. Tries by Jason Woodward

Jason Woodward

Jason Christopher Woodward is a Wellington Rugby player. He currently plays for the Upper Hutt Premiere team, and has become a regular in the Upper Hutt Times...

and Mark Reddish put the Lions up 24-0 fifteen minutes in. Wairarapa Bush were out muscled most of the first half, with Wellington working well in the rucks and rolling mauls. With Wellington up 45-0 Wairarapa Bush were awarded a scrum five metres from the line and took advantage with a try to Duncan Law, it was converted by Byron Karaitiana. Wellington went into the half-time break with a 45-7 lead.

The Lions brought up there half century with a try to Matthew Luamanu two minutes into the second half. With Api Naikatini scoring from a twenty metre run, Jason Woodward

Jason Woodward

Jason Christopher Woodward is a Wellington Rugby player. He currently plays for the Upper Hutt Premiere team, and has become a regular in the Upper Hutt Times...

bringing up his second and Fa'atonu Fili shooting his 8th conversion, Wellington were up 64-7 ten minutes through the second spell. David Smith scored his second try in the 55th minute to bring Wellington up to 71 points. Wairarapa Bush gained some momentum half way through the second with some hard runs and big hits, and it showed after a Scott Fuglistaller try, a slow kick by Daniel Kirkpatrick gave the chance for the Bush to charge down and they capitalized with a try to Joe Feast in the 65th minute. Wellington brought up 90 points with tries to Marika Kau and Charlie Ngatai. A length of the field intercept try by Nick Olson in the 74th minute was the highlight of the second half for Wairarapa Bush.

vs. Wanganui

Wanganui were the reigning Heartland championship

2008 Heartland Championship

Meads Cup champions. Wellington named a more experienced side with five players with Super 14

Super 14

Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...

experience but the core of team is made up of club and academy players.

The score was 9-0 fifteen minutes in, with Wanganui keeping Wellington on the backfoot but were burdened by errors and turnovers on attack. Penalties were a regular feature through the first fifteen minutes with 4 by the "Butcher Boys". The first try was scored by Alipate Leiua in the 20th minute, Daniel Kirkpatrick converted from the sideline with his fourth of the day. Wellington handling errors were the only thing stopping them from extending there lead, they had the speed which was an evident factor on offense and defense with Wanganui hesitating to take the gap. In the 25th minute Daniel Kirkpatrick scored and converted to take is points tally to 18. Wanganui's first points came in the 32nd minute with a penalty by halfback Denning Tyrell, this was the only points by Wanganui and Wellington went into the break with a 23-3 lead.

Wanganui came out firing with immediately getting and keeping the ball down in the Wellington twenty-two. Wanganui maintained the pressure and were rewarded a penalty in front of the posts, Denning Tyrell converted the penalty and put Wanganui up to six points. Frustration was setting into the Wellington Lions, continuing to make fundamental errors. Kirkpatrick missed his first for the day with a penalty veering off to the left. Wellington extended there lead to 42 points with tries to David Smith, Charlie Ngatai and Shaun Treeby, and conversions by Kirkpatrick and replacement Fa'atonu Fili. With the score 54-6, Brendon Watt finished off the scoring with a converted try to end the match, 61-6.

vs. Otago

Wellington beat Otago on 31 July to retain the Shield for another two weeks before they take on Auckland

Auckland Rugby Football Union

The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's top representative team have won New Zealand's top provincial rugby competition 16 times, more than...

.

After two early penalties by both teams, first five Chris Noakes scored a try after pass when off the knee of his fellow player and rolled into the endzone before being forced by Noakes. Another penalty 4 minutes later for Otago gave them a 11-3 advantage going into the halftime break.

9 minutes into the second half the Wellington Lions scored three more points with Daniel Kirkpatrick kicking his second penalty of the night. After 14 minutes and another penalty by Noakes, Shaun Treeby made a break from an Otago error and ran 40 metres before offloading to Lock Daniel Ramsey for the try under the posts. Replacement Fa'atonu Fili converted the try and put the scores to 13-14 to Otago. 5 minutes later Wellington were being pressured in there 22 before Victor Vito stole the ball in the ruck and Robert Fruean made a break which ended up getting the Lions down into the southerners half, from there Fa'atonu Fili flicked it out to Hosea Gear who sped around his opposite number Karne Hesketh for a try in the corner, Fili converted the try from the sideline and put the scores up to 20-14, the first Wellington led in the game. A drop goal a minute later by Fili meant that Otago had to score a twice, once a try, to gain the lead; that try came in the 79th minute by Adam Thomson but was two late for his team with the full time siren going off before the conversion, which was missed, that left the end score 23-19.

vs. Auckland

Wellington came into the game 6th on the season points table while Auckland

Auckland representative rugby union team

came in 10th after losing 2 of their first 3 games. Auckland were seeking for revenge after the previous season where Wellington won the shield of Auckland in round 8, 27-0, it was the first time ever that Auckland had been held scoreless at Eden Park

Eden Park

Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable...

.

Wing Hosea Gear

Hosea Gear

Hosea Gear is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays for the Highlanders in the Super 15 competition as a wing. He has played six international matches for New Zealand and scored five tries...

opened up scoring with a try in the 5th minute off a pass by flank Mark Reddish, Fa'atonu Fili could not convert. Ash Moeke put Aucklands first points on the board with a penalty in the 11th minute. Fa'atonu Fili added three points 2 minutes later from half way. Ash Moeke had a chance to reduce the deficit to 2 but couldn't pull the kick left from the awarded penalty. Attacking rugby was played by both but no team could convert that momentum into points with stoppages and unforced errors dominating the first half. Fa'atonu Fili appeared to score a try but referee Pollock said that he was obstructed didn't see anything and also that his assistant referees didn't see anything, but television replays obviously showed Fili grounding the ball. No team scored during the rest of the half and Wellington went into the sheds with 8-3 lead.

Prop John Schwalger scored the first try of the second half, and his career three minutes in, from some good open passing play from the Wellingtonians, going from one side of the field to the other three times during the movement, Fa'atonu Fili could not convert the sideline kick. Auckland struck back with replacement Daniel Bowden scoring a try 10 minutes into the second half, he couldn't convert his own try though which made the scores 13-8 to Wellington. Daniel Bowden a chance at a three pointer 2 minutes later but the kick bounced off the posts and Wellington cleared with a punt downfield. Fili landed a drop kick from thirty minutes outs in the 61st minute to increase their Wellingtons lead to 8. Daniel Bowden had a chance for another 3 pointer but didn't have the accuracy. 67 minutes in, Auckland had the chance to get a try from the 22 drop out, but was butchered by a deflected kick off a Wellington player. But Auckland made up for it later by replacement halfback Taniela Moa in the 70th minute, Daniel Bowden conversion was successful. Auckland had another chance 2 minutes later but obstruction was called over the try line to keep Wellingtons lead at 16-15. Pressure was applied by Auckland till the end of the match but Wellington were able to hold on to take the win and retain the shield at a scoreline of 16-15.

vs. Canterbury

Wellington came into this game 4th on the Air NZ Cup points table while Canterbury were 3rd and had scored the most points out of any team in the competition so far. Both teams named all the All Blacks available to them, for Canterbury this was Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn, while Wellington had Ma'a Nonu, Cory Jane and Rodney So'oialo.

In front of 18,511 spectators, Daniel Carter opened scoring with 3 penalties in the first 16 minutes putting Canterbury out to an 9-0 lead. 3 minutes later Canterbury scored the first try of the match, which went to Captain George Whitelock, Daniel Carter converted and extended his teams lead to 16-0. Another penalty by Carter put Canterbury up 19-0 with 10 minutes left in the first half. Tim Bateman scored Canterbury's second try of the match just on halftime hooter, Carter converted and Canterbury lead the Lions 26-0 going into the sheds.

Canterbury were slowed down in the second half but points tallied in the first half meant that Canterbury could cruise and rely on their defence while Wellington attempted to climb back. Daniel Carter added to his tally with a penalty in the 53rd minute of play. Replacement hooker Corey Flynn finished Canterbury's try scoring with one of his own with 20 minutes to play, Carter converted and put the scores at 36-0. Things were all Canterbury until the 74th minute when Wellington scored a length of the field try to Hosea Gear, Fa'atonu Fili converted and finally put Wellington on the board. From the following kickoff, Wellington scored their second try of the game which went to returning All Black Ma'a Nonu, Fili converted and switched the final score to 36-14, with Canterbury attaining the Ranfurly Shield

Ranfurly Shield

for the first time since 2007 when they won it off Waikato

Waikato Rugby Union

The Waikato Rugby Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the Waikato area in the North Island of New Zealand. Its senior representative team competes in the ITM Cup , and won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup in 2006.Waikato Rugby Union was founded in 1921...

Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

were the current holders of the Ranfurly Shield

Ranfurly Shield

after they won it off Wellington

Wellington Rugby Football Union

The Wellington Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union in the city of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand...

on the 29th of August and in round 5 of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup

2009 Air New Zealand Cup

. Their first defence was against Otago

Otago Rugby Football Union

, which was their second attemptof the season, on the 12th of September, which they won 36 points to 16. Their second challenge was on the 18th of September against Taranaki at AMI Stadium, which they also won when they scored 29 points to Taranaki's 17. The third challenge of Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

's 2009 tenure turned up the same result as the previous two, beating Northland

Northland Rugby Union

The Northland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Northland region of New Zealand.-History:Rugby was first played in Northland in the 1870s, and the first union was set up in the province in 1895, known as the Marsden Football Union. The Northland union was founded in...

31 points to 21. Manawatu

Manawatu Rugby Union

Manawatu Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in the Manawatu rugby province. The Union is based in the city of Palmerston North but has a catchment area from nearby towns in the province, including Feilding, Rongotea, Linton, Bulls, Pahiatua, Dannevirke and...

were the most recent team to fall to Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

when on the 9th of October they lost 50-26. In their fifth and final challenge of the season, Canterbury lost the Ranfurly Shield to Southland on 22 October 9 points to 3. Southland will not have their first challenge until next season.

vs. Otago

Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

came into this game of a loss and 3rd on the Air New Zealand Cup

Air New Zealand Cup

points table Otago

Otago Rugby Football Union

also came off a loss but 7th on the points table.

Flyhalf Stephen Brett started off scoring when after some good play by his outside backs allowed him to score a try right under the posts, Brett converted and Canterbury were up 7-0. Otagos Glenn Dickson narrowed gap with two penalties after 20 minutes of play. Canterbury were awarded a penalty from a scrum forced by Otago by placing the ball in their own endzone, Canterbury opted for the lineout rather than the points, which was the right call, they lost the lineout but when Otago attempted to clear, Michale Paterson charged down Glenn Dicksons kick and leaped on it to score the try, Brett could not convert, and with Dickson landing another penalty put the scores to 12 points to 9. Brett finished the scoring in the first half with a 40 metre penalty and Canterbury went into the locker room with a 6 point advantage.

After the break Canterbury were awarded an attacking inside the Otago 22, from the lineout Stephen Brett provided centre Tim Bateman with a nice pop pass, Bateman went through the gap and was to strong for Otago, Brett converted the try and put the scores to 22 points to 9. It was Otagos turn this time with a lineout in the Canterburys 22, from there they drove a nice maul all the way and replacement prop Keith Cameron dived over for Otagos only try, Michael Witt converted and Otago put the deficit to 6 points with 22 points to 16 in Canterburys advantage. In the 63rd minute after a nice set play of a scrum by Canterbury, they ended up int Otagos 22, they spread it wide and Casey Laulala straightened up and scored Canterburys 4th try of the evening, Brett converted and Canterbury retained their 13 points advantage. After some static play Canterbury finished off scoring with a try to No. 8 Ash Parker on fulltime, Brett converted and locked the final score at 36-16 and Canterbury with their first successful shield defense.

vs. Taranaki

Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

came into this match 1st equal on the Air New Zealand Cup points table while Taranaki

Taranaki Rugby Union

came in 7th.

Canterbury started off scoring early on with set piece move to setup wing-cum-fullback Sean Maitland, Stephen Brett converted and put Canterbury out to an 7 nil lead. Off a lineout mistake by Canterbury allowed Taranaki flanker John Willis to provide his team with the ball, Taranaki sped it wide and an overlap allowed wing Shayne Austin to score unopposed, Willie Ripai couldn't convert and let Canterbury have a 2 point lead 12 minutes in. A penalty kick by Willie Ripia gave Taranaki the lead, but immediately after, from the kick-off Canterbury scored a try, after recovering the ball a chip kick over the top that was chased by James Paterson allowed Tu Umaga-Marshall to score off the offload, Brett converted and put Canterburys lead to 14 points to 8. Two Ripia penalties equaled the scores when the teams went in for halftime.

Canterbury started off scoring in the second spell with a penalty to Stephen Brett, that put Canterbury out with 3 point lead. Two minutes later Canterbury scored their third try, a fine break by Maitland ending in a try to wing James Paterson and putting Canterbury out to 24 points to 14 after the conversion by Brett. Another Ripia penalty 50 minutes in put Taranaki up to 17 points. A set move by Canterbury ended up with Stephen Brett getting the wrap around and putting a grubber kick through for Sean Maitland to score his second, Canterbury were up 29-17 and other than an intercept by Shayne Austin, who was eventually caught by Brett, there were no other scoring opportunities and Canterbury ended the game with their second successful Shield challenge of the year.

vs. Northland

Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

came into the competition first on the points table while Northland

Northland Rugby Union

came in from the bottom four.

Canterbury started off scoring with a nice cross kick from right to left with lock Sam Whitelock catching the air ball uncontested and provided Canterbury with the 5 nil lead. Brett was successful with sideline conversion and Canterbury were up by 7, seven minutes into the game. Lachie Munro put Northland on the board when after a scrum penalty, kicked the three points to decrease the deficit to 4. A dangerous by flanker Joel McKenty reversed a penalty, and Stephen Brett converted the three points and canceled out Northlands earlier three-pointer. Another penalty by Brett lengthened Canterbury's lead to 10. But from the kickoff Northland executed some nice sweeping moves and 10 metres from the line Jole McKenty ran a good angle to cut through the defensive line and was to strong for the Canterbury sweepers. Lachie Munro added the conversion and Canterbury saw their lead reduce to 3. With another penalty to Canterbury and the scores at 16-10, Northland gained an attacking lineout five metres out from Canterbury's goalline. After the ball was taken McKenty came around towards the sideline and received the ball, after a nice dummy he scored his second of the match. Munro couldn't convert and the teams went into halftime and the scoreboard reading 16-15 to Canterbury.

Northland were found asleep in the first minute of the second half, Sean Maitland saw the gap and after throwing the quick throw in to Colin Slade received the ball back after a draw and pass and scored in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful and Canterbury were up 21-15. 2 minutes later Munro kicked another penalty and reduced his teams differential to 3. Another penalty in the 59th minute by Munro drew up the scores at 21 all. Sean Maitland scored his second when an overlap on the right side was utilized and he ran around to score under posts. With the conversion successful, Canterbury were up 28 points to 21. No team looked like scoring for the rest of the game, except for a Stephen Brett dropped goal. And that's was the final scoring play of the game with Canterbury winning 31-21.

vs. Manawatu

Canterbury

Canterbury Rugby Football Union

The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...

came in first on the Air New Zealand Cup points table while Manawatu

Manawatu Rugby Union

came in 11th.

Manawatu started scoring two minutes in when young five-eighth Aaron Cruden made a break through the middle and feed wing Aaron James the ball on the cut, James was uncontested on his way to the tryline and Manawatu were up 7-0. But it was all Canterbury after that with the first of four tries in the first 17 minutes going to returning All Black Kieran Read after some nice openfield running by Andy Ellis. Another to Read and one each to winger Tu Umaga-Marshall and lock Sam Whitelock brought Canterbury back to a 26-7 lead. A Canterbury try by Corey Flynn and another by Manawatu's James Goode brought the scores to 33-12 at halftime.

Andy Ellis scored six minutes after the break from a nice break by Ryan Crotty and then another try by James Goode from charge down from an attempted Stephen Brett clearance put the scores to 40 points to 19 and Canterbury looking like winning their fourth Shield challenge. Two tries to Colin Slade and Daniel Carter of Canterbury, and one by Manawatu's Tevita Taufui finished off the scoring and Canterbury left with another shield challenge under their belt with the scoreline of 50 points to 26.

vs. Southland

In their fifth and final challenge of the season, Canterbury lost the Ranfurly Shield to Southland on 22 October 9 points to 3. Southland will not have their first challenge until next season.

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