Rugby: Foot in both camps

Taine Randell. Photo / File

Former All Blacks rugby captain Taine Randell knows he won't be "Mr Popular" at his next Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union board meeting.

But here's his prediction for the Hawke's Bay Magpies Ranfurly Shield challenge against the Otago Razorbacks at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday:

"18-15 either way ... I've got a foot in both camps and I'm going to be happy and sad in equal measures."

It isn't a surprise Randell, a director on the union's board since last year, has adopted this approach. The 61-game All Black played 83 games for Otago, many of them as captain and 77 games for the Dunedin-based Super Rugby franchise, the Highlanders, and seven of his eight years with the franchise were as captain.

"You have to remember I played all of my senior club rugby in Otago ... well, up to a few years ago," he said referring to his recent seasons with his family's MAC club in the Bay.

"I was so rapt for Otago on Friday night (the Razorbacks beat Waikato 26-19 in Hamilton to win the shield). It had been 56 years since Otago had held the shield and Tony Brown is such a good bugger," Randell said referring to his former All Blacks and Otago teammate who is now the Razorbacks coach.

Despite his lengthy service with Otago, Randell, 38, was only involved in three Ranfurly Shield challenges. He was a non-playing substitute in a 28-11 loss to Waikato in Hamilton in 1993 and again in a 1994 22-20 loss to Canterbury in Christchurch.

The only challenge Randell played in was a 29-26 loss to Canterbury in Christchurch 13 years ago.

Randell said he would more than likely travel south at the weekend for the game wearing Otago and Hawke's Bay colours.

"I'll wear my Otago cap with my Hawke's Bay blazer. The only three teams I support are the Magpies, Otago and the Highlanders."

Randell pointed out the Hawke's Bay and Otago unions have a similar Ranfurly Shield history. Hawke's Bay hasn't held the shield for 44 years.

"Whichever province wins on Sunday it will be a colossal day for that province.

"Otago and Hawke's Bay may be in the lower echelons of the ITM Cup. But they are playing for the Ranfurly Shield, a trophy which has kept its mana and aura," Randell said.

Hawke's Bay and Otago have only met in four Ranfurly Shield fixtures in the 109-year history of the shield. Both unions have recorded two wins each with the Magpies pipping Otago 9-8 in the last meeting in 1967.

When the two unions met last year the Magpies won a try-less affair 21-15 at Napier's McLean Park.

Otago will have plenty of knowledge on the Magpies as the Razorbacks' fitness trainer is Karl Bloxham who was the Magpies deputy fitness trainer for six years before returning to his home province at the start of last year.

Former Hawke's Bay age-group representative Gareth Evans was outstanding for the Razorbacks as a blindside flanker in Friday night's win in Hamilton.