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Shield dream realised after 84 years |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Tuesday, 17 August 2004 |
DOMESTIC rugby's biggest prize spent its first night on Bay of Plenty soil last night - safely tucked under the arm of big forward Paul Tupai.
When captain Wayne Ormond raised the Ranfurly Shield above his head after yesterday's stunning 33-28 win over Auckland at Eden Park, it erased more than 80 years of heartbreak.
Fittingly, Ormond held the trophy just a few seconds before handing it to Tupai, playing his 100th game for the union, whose eyes brimmed with tears as he thrust the shield skyward.
Until yesterday, Bay of Plenty had never won the Shield, despite 18 challenges since the first in 1920. Tupai was in the side which came closest, in 1996, when it lost 30-29 to Auckland at the same venue.
This was the moment of redemption for the 29-year-old Rotorua loose forward.
``This has been a dream come true for me - 100 games today and that Log o' Wood,'' Tupai said. ``What a day for Bay rugby but what a day for Bay of Plenty as a whole. This win is for everybody who's ever pulled on that blue and yellow jumper and for everyone who's wanted to.
``That whistle couldn't come any quicker. In 1996 it came too soon but this year it couldn't come any quicker. What a day!''
Tupai immediately designated himself the role of guardian of the shield for the duration of the celebrations. There could be no greater bodyguard.
Bay of Plenty's historic win came courtesy of a desire to attack Auckland at every opportunity.
First-five Glen Jackson scored in every possible way, notching a first-half try and kicking three penalties, three conversions and a drop-goal.
His conversion of wing Anthony Tahana's 74th minute try from the far left-hand touchline gave the side a critical eight-point buffer, with Auckland having to score twice to close the gap.
In a fitting co-incidence, Jackson's conversion was from almost the identical spot Auckland's Matt Carrington goaled from to win the game in 1996.
``Jacko's conversion was crucial,'' coach Vern Cotter said. ``If he was ever going to nail a kick from the corner, it would have to be that one. I don't like looking for parallels but if you look at Carrington's kick, it was in a similar place eight years ago. Jacko got that one and put them out of reach.''
Cotter glanced across the jubilant changing room at the weathered, 100-year-old shield sitting at the feet of his players.
``It's the most beautiful thing we've ever seen,'' he remarked wistfully.
Amid the festivities, there was a quiet word of caution from Steamers fullback Adrian Cashmore, who had a long shield tenure with Auckland.
``That's the easy part - it only gets harder from now,'' Cashmore said. ``But it's important to enjoy it. This is a huge event as far as I'm concerned. Not many players in New Zealand get to hold the Shield. It's fantastic for these players.''
Cashmore said the attack-at-all-costs approach was the key to the win.
``That was our focus and that's what we spoke about before the game and at halftime as well. You've got to attack it - if you try to defend the shield, you'll lose it,'' he said.
The team had the satisfaction of seeing Auckland meekly kick for goal in the last action of the game to secure an NPC bonus point for finishing within seven points.
``It was great to see right at the end when they had to take that shot to get a bonus point - it was magic. We were giving them heaps too!''
Bay of Plenty must face the prospect of hosting their first-ever Ranfurly Shield defence next Sunday, against bitter rivals Waikato, at Tauranga's newly-named Blue Chip Stadium.
The Ranfurly Shield
# Was presented to the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1902 by the Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of New Zealand.
# It had to be altered because it was clearly designed for a soccer competition.
# Auckland was the first holder, in 1902.
# Since then, all holders have won the Shield on a ``challenge'' basis.
# Auckland has held the Shield more than any other province, winning 152 games.
# Bay of Plenty has challenged 19 times - but yesterday's win was the first.
# The shortest tenure was seven days, by Wellington in 1973.
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