Wairarapa-Bush to challenge for Shield

New Zealand's most famous rugby trophy, the Ranfurly Shield, will be at stake when Wairarapa-Bush plays Wellington at Memorial Park, Masterton on Thursday, July 2 next year.
Wellington lifted the "log o' wood" from Auckland last season and have plans to play the two first two challenges away from home in 2009.
That in Masterton will be followed by a match against current Heartland champions Wanganui at Spriggens Park on July 9 & providing of course that Wairarapa-Bush does not pull off what would probably rank as rugby's biggest upset of all time.
WBRFU chief executive officer Phil Taylor described the opportunity to host a Shield game in Masterton as "very exciting" and an example of the close working relationship developed over the years between the Wellington and Wairarapa-Bush unions.
"Just getting a Shield challenge is big news but hosting it is something even more special," Taylor said. "They (Wellington) had some difficult decisions to make and we're rapt they have looked favourably on us."
Taylor said the WBRFU saw the Shield match as a royal opportunity to market the sport locally and he is already anticipating close to a full house at Memorial Park, even on a Thursday.
"I don't think anybody will be worrying about what the final scoreline might be, this is the Ranfurly Shield and anybody who knows anything about rugby will want to share in the experience," he said. "It's huge for rugby here, absolutely huge."
Taylor's sentiments were echoed by Wairarapa-Bush coach Kelvin Tantrum, who said very few players ever had the chance to challenge for the Shield, particularly on home turf.
"Quite honestly I 'm really excited about the game, and it's still months away!" he said.
"And if a coach can feel like that, how about the players? They should all be wanting to be a part of it."
Tantrum, said a training squad of 21 players had already been formed with an eye to next season, the composition of which was mainly a mix of the 2008 Heartland team and "interesting" newcomers to the region.
They had been given individual training programmes and would meet on a monthly basis so that progress, especially in fitness levels, could be gauged.
Tantrum was at pains, however, to emphasise that membership of this squad was not a closed shop.
"Anyone who has the necessary commitment and desire still has the chance to be there, if we get up to 30 players that's fine by me," he said.
Of those from the 2008 line-up who won't be playing for Wairarapa-Bush next season the biggest loss could be No.8 Mike Spence, who has shifted to the Mid-Canterbury area.
He was one of their most consistent performers in a campaign where consistency, either individually or collectively, was hardly a strong point.
Injury concerns might also sideline forwards Dylan Higgison and Daniel Griffin and halfback James Bruce as well, all of whom are expected to go "under the knife" early in the New Year.
Perhaps the most interesting of the newcomers are George Swinburn, a loose forward who has played for England at age group level, and Sam Mitchell, a midfielder who has played for Manawatu.
The Ranfurly Shield challenge will be the highlight of what promises to be a new look build-up to the Heartland championship for Wairarapa-Bush next year
Pre-season games against Air NZ Cup unions Hawke's Bay and Manawatu have been axed and hopes are that the old Bruce Steel Trophy challenge series can be reinstated with fellow Heartland sides like Wanganui and Horowhenua-Kapiti also involved.
On the administrative front there has been a change on the WBRFU board with Masterton Red Star stalwart Tim Nathan ousting sitting member Richard Dahlberg in the election progress.
Bryan Weatherstone will again chair the board with Graeme Reisima as his deputy, Nathan and JJ Johnson are the independents and they will be joined by the chairman and vice-chairman of the council of clubs, Fergus Rutherford and Bruce Bowie respectively.
Taking over from Keith Hannam as union president is John Percy with the vice-president's position going to Ross Rowden.
Last season's Wairarapa-Bush senior B selector-coaches Steve Thompson and Stacey Grant have been reappointed for 2009 with efforts being made to organise a more meaningful competition for that team, against sides like their counterparts from King Country, Wanganui and Horowhenua-Kapiti and possibly the Wellington Maori development team.
Jaco Pieterse will again be selector-coach of the Wairarapa-Bush under-20s but similar appointments are still to be confirmed for the under-18s and under-16s.