North Harbour take Shield to the streets

North Harbour rugby fans today have the chance to get a glimpse of their team's newly won Log of Wood at a street parade and civic function in Takapuna today.

North Harbour lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury in a closely fought 21-17 win in Christchurch on Sunday.

They now get to keep the trophy through the summer, their first defence not coming until next season.

The victory ended a long wait for the union, with 11 unsuccessful challenges in the their 21-year history.

The team are today taking the prized trophy to the streets.

Team captain Rua Tipoki, North Shore mayor George Wood and North Harbour CEO Brett Hollister will address fans in front of the North Shore City Council buildings in Takapuna at 12.30.

A parade will then go from Takapuna through Milford, Mairangi Bay and Browns Bay, finishing at North Harbour Stadium between 1.30 and 2pm where the team will be available for autographs and photos with the shield.

North Harbour meet Waikato in Hamilton this Sunday in their Air New Zealand Cup top six fixture, a match that could hand the winners a home semifinal.

- NZPA