Harding Shield a beacon of sub union rugby

Northland coach Adriaan Ferris has placed huge importance on tomorrow's Harding Shield match between holders Mangonui and Whangarei and Districts, at Kaitaia's Arnold Rae Park.
The Harding Shield has a long history in the North, but for reasons unknown to Ferris, sub-union rugby has fallen to the wayside. "The Harding Shield used to be the cornerstone of rugby in the north. But sub-union rugby has fallen through the cracks - I'm not sure why except maybe it was because of the congested rugby calendar and NPC rugby took over," Ferris said.
But Northland Rugby Union are endeavouring to revive sub-union rugby, with Ferris citing it as important to the development of the game in the region.
"We've [NRU] instructed all the available players in the Northland squad to play. We want to start utilising these games as a stepping stone between club and representative rugby."
A curtain-raiser between Bay of Islands and Rodney/Northern Wairoa Combined would kick off a double-header and what Ferris expected to be two intense battles.
All four teams contain Northland squad members who have been allocated a team, due to their sub-union of origin.
"Mangonui has the likes of Tim Dow, Ash Moeke and Whiria Meltzer, whose roots and family and connections are still there. It's appropriate to give something back to the unions within the region."
Tomorrow's matches offer the opportunity for players in regional areas such as Kaitaia, Bay of Islands and Dargaville to have a crack against what is hopefully the cream of the crop in the province.
Harding Shield challenges have been contested on and off over the past few years, and the last challenge was played two years ago between Whangarei and Districts and the Bay of Islands, which Whangarei won 74-0.
It was believed Bay of Islands were the shield holders at the time of the clash, but after BoI's loss, it was discovered that Mangonui were actually the current holders.
So, this year's matches will be hosted by shield-holders Mangonui at their ground of choice - Arnold Rae Park.
Bay of Islands and Rodney/Northern Wairoa Combined kick off at 1.30pm, while the main game between Mangonui and Whangarei and Districts gets under way at 3pm.