Half a century after shield went south, it’s back at Lansdowne

On August 17, 1974, the Ranfurly Shield departed Lansdowne Park in Blenheim on the South Canterbury team bus.

On Sunday, 50 long years later, the famed Log o’ Wood will return to the park where it became such a drawcard.

Saturday evening’s historic victory by an inspired Tasman Mako side in Napier means they have the chance to defend their prize against the Wellington Lions at Marlborough rugby headquarters.

Many Marlborough residents will vividly recall the excitement generated by the 1973-74 Red Devils' Shield reign.

Marlborough claimed the shield from Canterbury at Lancaster Park, in a match deemed one of the greatest upsets in the trophy’s history - although not by many locals who had seen their side building nicely while tipping over some bigger unions the previous year.

During that halcyon winter of 1973 Marlborough transformed into “Ranfurly Shield Country”, with street parades and packed terraces greeting their heroes as they repelled five challenges.

Wairarapa Bush were eclipsed 36-0, North Otago 26-9, then Wanganui 30-6 before a record crowd of 13,200 flocked to Lansdowne Park for the visit of the team which would become their provincial partner in 2006, Nelson Bays.

Our near neighbours were beaten 29-9, then Marlborough ensured the Log would remain in the province over the summer with a 36-9 win over Mid Canterbury.

First up in 1974 were West Coast, who were repelled 18-0. Then South Canterbury came to town, the inspired challengers taking the shield south after a famous 18-6 victory, bringing a close to a ‘fairytale’ sporting story which illustrated the magic that the shield can bring, especially to a ‘minor’ province.

While times have undoubtedly changed, and you would be hard pressed to call Tasman a ‘minor’ province in recent times, Sunday afternoon’s first defence against the unbeaten Lions will be a rugby occasion to savour.

Both teams will bring an outstanding 2024 NPC record into the match, the only sides in the competition to remain unbeaten.

While the battle to claim top spot on the table will be in the minds of both sets of players, at the forefront will be the biggest prize in our domestic game.

First defences are notoriously tough, the new holders riding a wave of emotion after reaching such a long-held goal, plus having to deal with all the publicity and scrutiny that comes with the territory.

Then there is the pressure of backing up a top performance with another of similar quality, especially just eight days later and against another in-form outfit.

However, the 2024 Mako have dug deep all season, constantly displaying their resilience and finding a way to get over the line. They will relish the occasion and the chance to put their new aquisition on the line in front of the Mako faithful.

Tasman Rugby Union brand ambassador Graeme Taylor, a former NZ Rugby Union councillor and Marlborough Rugby Union chairman, is thrilled that shield rugby is returning. After being at the successful 1973 challenge, then attended every ensuing defence in that era, he suggests that the shield will have lost none of its magic when it comes to pulling in crowds.

“I am expecting a huge Marlborough/Nelson crowd on Sunday,” he said.

“The place will look a picture … we have sold out of marquees already, they are all full, it should be a great day with a massive crowd.”

Sunday’s game will kick-off at 2.05pm, with ticket prices remaining the same.

If Tasman hold on to the Log on Sunday, they have away games against Waikato (September 22) and Otago (September 28). Then they will defend their prize at home, in Nelson, against Auckland on Wednesday, October 2 and Taranaki on Sunday, October 6.